Padus, but both morphological and molecular studies indicate it belongs to Prunus subg.

The bark on young trees is very distinct, smooth, glossy bronze-yellow, but becoming fissured and dull dark grey-brown with age.

The fruit is a small cherry-like drupe 5–7 mm diameter, green at first, turning first red then dark purple or black at maturity.

[2][6] It is grown as an ornamental tree in northern Europe and North America, mainly for its decorative bark.

It prefers sunshine and moist (but drained) soil, and is tolerant of severe winter cold, but not heat.