North Carolina Wildflowers, Shrubs, & Trees

Adoxaceae > Viburnum

Statewide and common in NC in various wooded habitats.

The leaves are so maple-like, that the plants can look somewhat like maple saplings.

Blue-black fruits develop in late summer.

Widespread and somewhat uncommon in NC.

Close-up of flower detail

Leaves are wider-rounder and with longer petioles than the similar Viburnum rafinesquianum.

Statewide and common in mesic forest habitats in North Carolina, Blackhaw produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers in the spring.

Leaves look similar to cherry leaves, but their arrangement is opposite in Blackhaw. (Cherry trees have alternate leaves.)

Fruits are nearly black and droop when ripe.

Distinctive buds are swollen in the middle with a goosebeak-like tip.

Bark.

Statewide and uncommon in North Carolina. Leaves are glossy above and have rusty hairs below, especially on the petiole and under midrib.

Similar to Viburnum prunifolium (above species) but with distinct rusty hairs, which V. prunifolium lacks.

Flat-topped white flower clusters appear in spring and fruits ripen over the summer.

Leaves turn red in the fall and fruits become nearly black.

Ripe fruits are heavy and could therefore be called drooping drupes.

Distinct buds are rusty and fuzzy.

Chunky blocky bark.

Common in the NC mountains and into the piedmont, some authorities consider this taxon to be a variety of Viburnum nudum.

Statewide in North Carolina, but common only in the eastern half, Possumhaw grows in a variety of habitats with wet soils.

Possumhaw flowers in the spring and fruits (drupes) ripen in the fall.

Leaves are shiny with entire (untoothed) margins.