Virginia Tech Dendrology

highbush-cranberry Caprifoliaceae Viburnum opulus var. americanum L. var. Aiton symbol: VIOPA2
Leaf: Opposite, simple, 3-lobed, 2 to 4 inches long, coarsely dentate. Petiole has round, raised glands near base of leaf, petiole is grooved.
Flower: White, flat top cluster about 2 to 3 inches across, outer flowers larger and sterile, appearing in late spring and early summer.
Fruit: Drupes, nearly round, 1/3 inch across, bright red, juicy, maturing in fall.
Twig: Light reddish brown, lustrous; buds with only 2 visible scales, green and slightly stalked.
Bark: Gray, becomes rough scaly with age.
Form: Large shrub (15 feet tall), arching stems, very dense, rounded form.
Looks like: European cranberrybush viburnum - mapleleaf viburnum - arrowwood - squashberry

Additional Range Information: Viburnum opulus var. americanum is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information