Deciduous shrub, rarely tree 1,5-3 (max.7 ) m high. The bark isalmost gray-brown black, smooth, with green lenticels. In old age rough. Leaves are simple. The lamina is elliptic or obtuse, tough, with serrate margin. Visible veins on the underside. The flowers consisting from 4 petals, yellow or green-colored. Flowering in May and June. Fruit shiny, black drupes. It contains 4 seeds with pips. Shoots: Shoots are silver-gray to olive-brown or black. They are glabrous or sparsely hairy. At the end of lateral branches there are usually thorns. Natural range: Europe, Western Asia, North Africa; in our area domestic.