European cranberrybush
(Viburnum opulus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Viburnum opulus is a small, perennial, deciduous shrub growing from 6.5-11.5 ft. (2-3.5 m) tall. The bark is light grey to brown when mature. It is native to Europe, northern Africa and northern Asia.
Foliage
The leaves have three pointed lobes and are coarsely toothed; 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) long. The leaf stalk has two glands at the base of the leaf.
Flowers
The white flowers are held in 3-4 in. (7.5-10 cm) wide, flat-topped umbels. The individual flowers are tiny and five-petaled.
Fruit
The rounded red fruits are translucent and contain one flattened seed. The fruits often persist on the plant through the winter and is generally not eaten by wildlife.
Ecological Threat
Viburnum opulus is reported in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland. In the United States it is reported from Washington east to Maine and as far south as Missouri and Virginia. It poses an ecological threat by competing with native plants for habitat and resources. It can be found in swamps, bogs, stream banks, open woodlands, forest edges, hedgerows and thickets. It grows in both heavy clay and acidic soil.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Hoffman, R. & K. Kearns, Eds. 1997. Wisconsin manual of control recommendations for ecologically invasive plants. Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources. Madison, Wisconsin. 102pp.
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Invasive Plants
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Asteranae |
| Order: Dipsacales |
| Family: Adoxaceae |
| Genus: Viburnum |
| Viburnum opulus |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.