Habitat: Open woods, especially along roadsides, trails, ravines, and other disturbed areas; prefers moist soils. In Virginia, this species is more common in the mountainous areas.
Characteristics: Often grows in moderately-dense thickets and attains a height of 4 to 5 feet. Flowers appear in early summer and are a brilliant reddish-purple. The delicious red fruits appear in mid-to-late summer.
