A small native shrub of sandy, barren areas, dunes, disturbed areas, lakeshores, barrens, balds and ridges, this species offers showy white blooms from April to May and produces edible drupes which turn a glossy dark purple when ripe. Leaves are wide and somewhat tough, adapted to growing in dry conditions. Tolerates dry, shallow soil, sand, gravel, and occasional flooding. Recovers well after fire. Extremely high value to wildlife- although the fruits are edible, they are of more value to wildlife than to humans, and are eaten by everything from foxes to birds to mice and bears, and possibly box turtles. Roots are particularly well-suited to erosion control and are adapted to stabilize sand dunes.
2-6 foot tall
Plant Hardiness Zones: 2b-6b
Woody Shrub or Tree
Native Range: ME south to NC, west to IL, WI, and MN. Native to Canada in MB, ON, QC.
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