A deciduous shrub up to 6 ft high; young shoots growing sometimes herring-bone fashion from the older ones, covered with yellowish down at first. Leaves orbicular, sometimes broadly obovate; they are usually apiculate (i.e. contracted at the apex to a minute point), but occasionally rounded or even notched there; 1⁄4 to 3⁄8 in. wide and long; upper surface glabrous, shining green, lower one slightly downy. Flowers solitary, white or pinkish. Fruit red, nearly globose, solitary, erect, 1⁄4 in. wide.
Native of W. Szechwan, China; introduced in 1910. The true plant appears to be uncommon and, under Wilson’s No. 4311, which belongs properly to this species, other species have been grown. It is one of the group to which horizontalis and adpressus belong. Flowers in June.