Small tree; lvs lanceolate or oblong- lanceolate, 5-10 cm, gradually acuminate, obtuse to rounded at base, hairy beneath at least along the midvein, very finely serrate, the teeth projecting less than 0.5 mm and bearing a gland next to the sinus; pedicels glabrous, 8-12 mm; sep glandular on the margin, pubescent above, often also below; pet white, 4-7 mm; fr red, 2 cm; 2n=16. Moist woods and thickets; chiefly in Mo. and e. Kans., but irregularly to O., Ky., Tenn., Miss., La., and Tex. Apr., before the lvs have expanded.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.