Plant: Shrub 2-6 m, deciduous; Stem: pith conspicuous, spongy Leaves: opposite, pinnately (rarely bipinnately) compound, with terminal leaflet; leaflets serrate, 5-7, 6-16 cm, lanceolate to oblong-ovate, base generally asymmetric, tip gradually acuminate INFLORESCENCE: panicle made up of cymes, terminal, 6-10 cm diam, ± dome-shaped; central axis remaining dominant throughout development Flowers: small; calyx 5-toothed; corolla radial, rotate, 5-lobed, white or cream; ovary chambers 3-5, ovules 1 per chamber and suspended from its top, style short, stigmas 3-5 Fruit: drupe, generally bright red, not glaucous; Seeds 3-5 Misc: Moist places; < 3300 m.