A tall deciduous or partially evergreen climber, with round stems but angled branches, sparsely or not at all prickly. Leaves ovate with broadly tapering or rounded bases and fine points; 11⁄2 to 31⁄2 in. long, 1 to 21⁄2 in. wide; green above, glaucous beneath, with usually three prominent nerves and two smaller ones at the margins; stalk 1⁄6 to 1⁄3 in. long. Flowers green, produced three to eight together in small axillary umbels, the main-stalk of which is 1⁄3 to 1 in. long. Berries black with a glaucous bloom, 1⁄4 in. wide. Bot. Mag., t. 1846.
Native of the eastern United States from Massachusetts southwards; introduced in 1815. It is hardy. The glaucous colour of the leaves beneath is its best distinguishing character.