Shiny slender twigs give rise to spikes of various lengths. The leaves are both toothed and lobed, simple and alternately arranged. Those on the flowering branches are generally of a different outline than others. Flowers are white or pink and arranged in cymes. Flowers are five-parted and there are 5–25 stamens. There are 1–5 carpels producing pomes containing 1–3 stony nutlets.

Found throughout the province

High in pectin, fruit may be cooked and added to others for jams and jellies.

Nutlets or seeds contain cyanide bound with a sugar (amygdalin). one or two may not harm an adult, but could be fatal to a child.