A nearly evergreen shrub of rambling habit; branches angled, glabrous. Leaves alternate; mostly composed of three leaflets, but occasionally five, never apparently more. Leaflets oval, sometimes obovate or ovate, 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 in. long, 1⁄4 to 5⁄8 in. wide, pointed, glabrous. Flowers yellow, in terminal cymose clusters, usually produced from July onwards; corolla 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in long, the lobes five, pointed. Calyx-lobes five, about 1⁄8 in. long, awl-shaped. Fruit about the size of a small pea, black. Bot. Mag., t. 6719.
Native of China; cultivated in that country and Japan; introduced by Lord Ilchester about the middle of last century. It was originally discovered in North China, but Henry found it frequently in Central China, about Ichang. It is closely akin to J. humile, having alternate leaves and yellow flowers, but differs in the longer, more slender calyx-lobes. It has long been grown on a wall at Kew, but is not so hardy as J. humile.