It is native to Asia, and commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental elsewhere.

It grows to 9 metres high and has glossy elliptical leaves to 20 cm long.

In spring it produces pyramid-shaped clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by red berries that age to black.

[2] The species is native to China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Himalayan region in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

awabuki is native to Korea (Jeju Island), Taiwan, and Japan.