Small, compact, slow growing evergreen shrub (H 1,3-1,5 m, W 1,3-1,5 m). Branches mostly upright, stranske open to slightly hanging, densely arranged. Leaves ovate to egg-shaped (12-17 cm), with some larger teeth along the margin, leathery, glossy, dark green. Flowers tiny, in panicles (10 cm), violet-red; male and female flowers on separate plants, dioecious plant. Flowering period: May. Fruits globose (up to 1 cm), smooth, fleshy, bright red, inedible. Ripening time: September-October. It grows well in not too wet soils, protected from hot sun and dry wind, in a slightly sheltered site. Some branches may die during dry, cold winters, but the plant regrows well from old wood.
Plants from this group grow equally good in different positions, regardless of solar radiation. Usually they need more moisture in sunny than in shady undergorwth and they can bloom more exuberant.
Decidious have woody stems (i. e. tree trunk and branches) and are also called woody plants or trees. Leaves are normally broad, soft and thin.
Leaves or needles remain on the plant for several consecutive years, usually 2 to 5 years. Our descriptions contain the word evergreen.
Plant can in otherwise appropriate environment survive cold down to - 18 °C.
Porous or dry soils are normally light and loose, there is no stagnant water but relatively quickly flows in deeper layers; such ground are more airy and warmer, yet drier and usually contain less humus and for such undergrowth it is often to for drought to appear (e. g. rockgardens, walls, by paths and roads, on gravel, also on gravel surface in towns and close to buildings ...), plants of such undergrowth need well-drained soil, they tolerate drought but cannot tolerate constant moisture or even flooding.
Fruits of these plants are not edible for humans, so are not to be consumed. They may have important ornamental value or provide food for some wild animals (e. g. singing birds). Regarding edibility and/or healing power we are not liable, in this matter seek for professional guidance before consumation or usage.
Woody plant, normally branched at the ground level into several side stems, usually lacks of a dominant stem. Tree top can be of different shapes, dense or thin, symetric or uneven. Most shrubs reach a height of 1 to 2 metres, but some can grow much higher (up to 8 m); some can grow into very low or carpet-like forms.
