Native Plant Database

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Viburnum opulus var. americanum Ait.

American cranberrybush, American cranberrybush viburnum, Highbush-cranberry

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Synonyms: Viburnum trilobum

USDA Symbol: VIOPA2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Highbush-cranberry is a 6-12 ft. shrub which can reach 16 ft. Dense upright or arching branches create a round outline. Maple-like, deciduous foliage is colorful in fall. White, flat-topped clusters of flowers are followed by persistent red berries.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Color: Red, Orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CT , ID , IL , IN , IA , KY , ME , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , NE , NH , NJ , NY , ND , OH , PA , RI , SD , VT , WA , WV , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NS , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Nf. to B.C., s. to NJ, n. IN, n. IL, Black Hills, WY & WA
Native Habitat: Cool woods; thickets; rocky shores; slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Wet to average, well-drained loams.
Conditions Comments: Flood, disease and insect tolerant. Transplants easily. Edible berries.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals.
Use Food: The berries make an excellent winter-survival food because they remain above the snow and are sweeter after freezing. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Viburnum opulus var. americanum is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Spring Azure
(Celastrina "ladon" )

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Seed Collection: Collect the fruit as soon as it has turned a dark blue-black color. Store seeds with pulp on at 41 degrees.
Seed Treatment: If seeds must be stored, they will need a period of stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Viburnum opulus var. americanum (American cranberrybush) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Sorbus aucuparia (European mountain ash)
   Viburnum dilatatum (linden arrowwood)
   Viburnum lentago (nannyberry)
   Viburnum opulus var. opulus (European cranberrybush)
   Viburnum plicatum (Japanese snowball)
   Viburnum sieboldii (Siebold's arrowwood)

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
A Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viburnum opulus var. americanum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viburnum opulus var. americanum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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