A large suckering deciduous shrub to 6 metres with red-hairy stems and alternate, large, pinnate leaves which turn red and orange in autumn. It is dioecious (separate male and female plants). It has conical clusters of yellow-green flowers and on female plants these are followed by deep crimson-red fruit spikes.

Usually found near to habitation as an escape from cultivation. Often escapes by means of suckers which extend way beyond the parent tree.

Flowering July ? August.

Deciduous shrub.

There are occasional, but widespread records of this plant escaping from cultivation in England and Wales.

Uncommon or under recorded as an escape from cultivation in Leicestershire and Rutland. It was not recorded in VC55 until 1996 (Osgathorpe).