Glabrous shrub to 3 m, the vigorous shoots hollow; lvs ovate to oblong, 3–6 cm, rounded to subcordate at base; peduncles axillary, 15–25 mm; bracts subulate, shorter or longer than the separate ovaries; bractlets broadly ovate, about a third as long as the ovary; cor white to pink, 1.5–2 cm, glabrous, nearly regular, the lobes equaling or longer than the tube; style hirsute; fr red, rarely yellow; 2n=18. Native of Eurasia, escaped from cult. throughout our range. May, June. (Xylosteon t.)