Description
Medium, spreading, deciduous tree 10-25m; young twigs hairless, bark reddish-brown, peeling in thin strips and paper-like. Leaves oblong, dull green above, toothed, often reddish, somewhat hairy beneath. Flowers white, 15-25mm, in clusters of 2-6 with leaves. Fruits rounded and fleshy, dark red, sometimes creamy-yellow, bright red or black, 9-12mm, sweet or bitter. Habitat: Woods, hedgerows and close to habitation on fertile, well drained soils. Flowering Season: April-May. Distribution: Widely cultivated and naturalized throughout Europe, except the Faeroes, Iceland and Spitsbergen. This Picture is made in a small Forest in Almere (Flevoland, the Netherlands).