The alternately arranged leaves are evergreen and glabrous or smooth without hair above; there is normally a waxy-white undercoating on the bottom.

[8] The blades are an ovate to elliptic shape, thin in moist habitat, and smaller and thicker in dry areas.

[9] Blooming only in May and June,[7] the greenish-yellow flowers are 0.4 centimetres (1⁄8 in) wide and occur in leaf axil clusters, with 5 sepals and 5 shorter petals.

Berries fully ripen in early fall, but can be challenging to collect due to birds who use the fruit as a resource.

Seeds normally germinate in average temperature, not being too hot or cold and under favorable moisture conditions.

This plant is also a common shrub found in the environment in the Siskiyou Mountains, southwestern Oregon, and northern California within the forests.

[12] It can be found alongside chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), redberry (Rhamnus crocea), and western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum).

[22] When fire occurs, the plant can be very damaged but it readily resprouts from the surviving root crown, which is covered in buds for the purpose.

[11] Parts of the plant, including the foliage and fruit, are food for wild animals such as mule deer, black bears, woodrats and many resident and migrating birds, as well as livestock.

[23] The flower is an attactor for native bees and supports pollenation in areas with a high quantity of coffeeberry.

[11][25] Erosion control usually occurs with this plant on dry steep hillsides where the roots keep in place and protect the surrounding land from weather erosin.

[22] Due to this plant being unpalatable to deer, it is commonly used for ornamental purposes, including landscape decor.

[28] Cultivars of the species, for use as an ornamental plant, include:[30] The berries are edible, and the seeds inside have been used to make coffee substitute with limited success.