[2][3][4] It is a small deciduous tree reaching a height of 8–20 m. The trunk is slender with smooth grey to purple-grey bark marked with horizontal brown lenticels, with a strong smell when cut.

The fruit is a small drupe, about 8 mm in diameter, green at first, then red and finally ripening black in mid summer.

[6][8] The flowers, fruit and seed are all edible and are prepared and eaten in Japan.

The fruit can be preserved with salt to make a dish called Anningo.

[10] After a review of the previous literature, Maximowicz in St. Petersburg decided in 1883[11] the tree was a distinct species, and named it Prunus grayana after Asa Gray.