[2] It is native to North America, and can be found in forested habitat.

Rhamnus alnifolia is a spreading shrub usually 0.5 to 1.5 metres (20 to 59 inches) tall,[3] rarely to 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft), its thin branches bearing deciduous leaves.

[4] The thin, deeply veined leaves have oval blades 4.5 to 11 centimetres (1+3⁄4 to 4+3⁄8 in) long, pointed at the tip and lightly toothed along the edges.

The tiny flowers are about 1 millimetre (1⁄16 in) wide[4] and have five green sepals but no petals.

[5] Female flowers produce drupes 6 to 8 mm (1⁄4 to 5⁄16 in) wide, each containing three seeds.