This native of Japan was introduced to this continent as an ornamental shrub. It is considered a noxious weed today. It grows 3-6 feet tall and has spoon-shaped leaves in clusters alternate on straight twigs. These leaf clusters are joined by a bundle of cream-colored flowers on stalks (pedicels) and a single thorn (A). The leaves turn yellow, later red by October (C). The fruit is a bright red, egg-shaped drupe, which can often be seen on this shrub well into winter (B).