Object Details
Description
Blackhaw viburnum has scentless white flower heads that are visually lovely. In the fall, these flowers become ornamental blue-black berries which can be eaten off the plant or made into jam.
This plant is of Special Concern in Connecticut.
Hardiness
-40 - 30 F
Attracts
Birds, butterflies
Bloom Time
May to June
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
Root bark has been used medicinally.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2017-0476A
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Life Form
Deciduous shrub/sub-shrub
Average Height
12-15' (3.7-4.6 meters)
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown
Bloom Characteristics
Flat-topped clusters of white flowers. 2-4" (5-10.2 cm) across. Individual flowers are .25" (.6 cm) across.
Fall Color
Red, purplish
Foliage Characteristics
Simple, opposite, ovate leaves with serrated margins. 1.5-3.5" long.
Fruit Characteristics
Oval drupes which mature from pink to black. Edible. Mature from August to early December.
Structure
Rounded
Range
Central and E USA
Habitat
Moist woods, forest edges, stream banks
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Tree Collection
On Display
National Museum of the American Indian
Common Name
black haw
blackhaw viburnum
plum leaf viburnum
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Asteranae
Order
Dipsacales
Family
Viburnaceae
Genus
Viburnum
Species
prunifolium
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Trees
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2017-0476A