Habit: this leggy, thornless shrub has a distinctive, skunky odor caused by yellow glands that cover the green to brown branches and undersides of the leaves. The maple like leaves are large with 5-7 pointed and toothed lobes. The inflorescence is a 6-12 in (15-30 cm) long, upright spike with 20-40 cream colored to green saucer shaped flowers. The bluish-black berries are round, borne in clusters and covered in a waxy white covering. Flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.
Ecology: coastal from Southern Alaska to Northern California in moist to wet riparian zones, boggy areas thickets and woods from low to subalpine elevations.
Growing Conditions: full to partial shade in moist to wet soil.
