The Carolina buckthorn is a deciduous tree or shrub that can grow 12-15 ft. tall. Its leaves stay green until late fall, and it produces small, yellow flowers in clusters at the bases of the leaves during May and June. The flowers could be more showy. This plant also produces fleshy fruit that is red when ripe and black when mature, measuring about 1/4 inch in diameter.

Many songbirds and other wildlife eat the berries of the Carolina buckthorn. While the berries may have medicinal properties, they can also be toxic. Despite its name, this species does not have spines. The plant was named after South Carolina, where it was first discovered.

Carolina buckthorn is commonly found in the understory and has bright green leaves. It can stand alone as a specimen plant and is attractive to several bird species due to its colorful red fruits. In the fall, the fruits turn black. When grown in light shade, the Carolina buckthorn has an airy, tiered appearance, similar to flowering dogwoods. It requires a minimum of three to four hours of sunlight per day. However, it may become dense and shrubby if it receives less sun, losing some of its appeal. This plant often produces an abundance of seedlings.