Origin: Europe, North Africa.
Botanical characteristics: It is a large deciduous shrub or a small bushy deciduous tree, whose branches are covered with white longitudinal lenticels. Leaves are oval to obovate, the margin is entire, up to 7 cm long similar to those of Alnus, glossy dark green with reddish petioles. In autumn they turn yellow-red. In late spring and early summer it bears white-green flowers in axillary bunches. Autumn fleshy ,spherical, red and black, poisonous fruits (drupes) follow the flowering.
Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is a wild plant in the hardwood forests in northern Italy, especially in the moist environments. It prefers moist, preferably acidic soils.
Use: It is used in hedges and wild gardens or woods. It is suitable for environmental clean-up.
