A slender, tree-like shrub. The leaves are entire, not toothed,feather veined, arranged alternately on the stem, not opposite to one another. Flowers are produced from the wood of the preceding year and also on shoots of the current year. The spreading, thornless branches have green bark when young, turning to brownish-gray when older. The blue and gray berry has 2-3 roundish, angular seeds. Bees are very attracted to it. Found throughout eastern and northern U.S. in woods, mostly free from lime.

It is a cathartic, laxative, and tonic. Only the dried seasoned, 1-2 year old, bark should be used. The fluid extract is used as a gentle purgative in cases of chronic constipation. Liquid from the bark, boiled in beer, historically used for jaundice. It is more agreeable than the more popular R.purshianus (cascara sagrada). Wood of the shrub is historically used in making charcoal for gun powder makers, thus "black dogwood". Freshly stripped bark acts as an irritant poison on the gastrointestinal canal.