A shrub 3 to 6 ft high, with running roots and forming ultimately a dense thicket of erect stems, which are soon quite glabrous. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly oval, but sometimes broadest above the middle, 1 1 ⁄ 2 to 3 in. long, 1 ⁄ 2 to 1 in. wide, pointed, sharply and often doubly toothed.