Very similar to S. erosa (Thunb.) Moffett, differing in the following ways: 1-2(-5) m high; much-branched, woody, less bushy habit. Leaves with petioles (13-)19(-29) mm long; leaflets widely lanceolate, rarely a 4th leaflet, margins toothed in upper 2/3 of lamina, latter neither parted nor divided, base cuneate, apex mucronate, teeth mucronulate. Male flowers often with a smaller 6th petal. Fruit drupe, circular.
Much-branched, woody shrub, up to 2 m high. Leaflets sessile; blade narrowly ovate to obovate, margins > 1/2 toothed, terminal leaflet (26-)41(-59) x (3-)10(-23) mm. Flowers: Nov.-Feb. Fruit a globose, glabrous drupe. Possibly of hybrid origin with R. erosa as one parent.