Rusty Blackhaw is also known as Blackhaw and Rusty Nannyberry.

Plant is a large shrub or small tree with a short trunk; spreading; irregular crown; many small white flowers. Preferred habitat is uplands in forest and at edge of pine woods. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

Leaves are opposite on the stem; 2-4 inches long and 1-2.5 inches wide; widest at the middle; finely saw-toothed; slightly thick; shiny green above and covered with rust-colored hairs beneath, especially along veins; turning shiny red in autumn. Short leafstalks are covered with rust-colored hairs.

Flowers are small and in upright, flat-top stalkless clusters at the end of the stem. The clusters are also covered with rust-colored downy hairs. Flowers have five rounded white corolla lobes. Flowers occur in mid- to late spring.

Rusty Blackhaw is distinguished from the more northern blackhaw primarily by the
reddish-brown hairs on foliage and other parts as well as by the slightly larger leaves and paler blue fruit. The Latin species name; meaning “reddish,” also refers to the hairs. The two species integrate where their ranges meet.