Pondberry, for the most part, is associated with wetland habitats such as bottomland and hardwoods in the interior areas, and the margins of sinks, ponds and other depressions in the more coastal sites. The plants generally grow in shaded areas but may also be found in full sun.

Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 2 meters (6 feet) tall, and spreads by stolons, a creeping stem or runner that takes root at points along its length to form new plants .  Pale yellow flowers appear in the spring before the leaves emerge. The oval-shaped fruits are 0.5 inch (12 millimeter) long, and turn from green during the summer to bright red in the fall. Pondberry is distinguished from the two other North American members of the genus (Lindera benzoin and Lindera subcoriacea) by its drooping foilage, obtuse or rounded leaf base, conspicuous venation and the two lowest pairs of lateral nerves are not parallel to the ones above. Pondberry leaves have a distinct sassafras-like odor when crushed.

Reproduction is primarily vegetative by means of stolons, a creeping horizontal stem or runner that takes root at points along its length to form new plants. The plants grow in clones of numerous stems which flower when little more than 2 to 3 years of age, but appear to live for only a few years. The dead stems are replaced by new ones that emerge from the rootstock. The plants flower in late February or March and are dioecious (male and female flowers are produced on separate plants). Mature fruits can be found on the plants in October. Seeds are only viable for a short period of time.