Large, dense, upright evergreen shrub or a small tree (H 4-7 m, W 3-4 m), crown pyramidal or egg-shaped. Branches partly upright, later horizontal, eventually slightly hanging, bark dark olive green, on older branches grey. Leaves ovate to broadly lanceolate (5-10 cm), leathery, smooth, with a spiny (or entire) edge, glossy, dark green. Flowers unremarkable, white, tiny; male and female flowers different, (most often) on separated plants, dioecious. Fruits globose (4-6 mm), fleshy, smooth, glossy bright red, autumn and winter attraction. Ripening time: September-October. Attracts birds. Needs a sheltered position.
These plants grow well in sun or in partial shade. Usually they tolerate more sun and heat if given enough moisture; in partial or light shade they need less moisture.
Decidious have woody stems (i. e. tree trunk and branches) and are also called woody plants or trees. Leaves are normally broad, soft and thin.
Leaves or needles remain on the plant for several consecutive years, usually 2 to 5 years. Our descriptions contain the word evergreen.
Plant can in otherwise appropriate environment survive cold down to - 23 °C.
Porous or dry soils are normally light and loose, there is no stagnant water but relatively quickly flows in deeper layers; such ground are more airy and warmer, yet drier and usually contain less humus and for such undergrowth it is often to for drought to appear (e. g. rockgardens, walls, by paths and roads, on gravel, also on gravel surface in towns and close to buildings ...), plants of such undergrowth need well-drained soil, they tolerate drought but cannot tolerate constant moisture or even flooding.
Fruits of these plants are not edible for humans, so are not to be consumed. They may have important ornamental value or provide food for some wild animals (e. g. singing birds). Regarding edibility and/or healing power we are not liable, in this matter seek for professional guidance before consumation or usage.
Woody plant, normally branched at the ground level into several side stems, usually lacks of a dominant stem. Tree top can be of different shapes, dense or thin, symetric or uneven. Most shrubs reach a height of 1 to 2 metres, but some can grow much higher (up to 8 m); some can grow into very low or carpet-like forms.
