Viburnum nudum L.

Possum Haw Viburnum; Southern Wild Raisin

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Possum Haw Viburnum is a native deciduous shrub or small tree in the Moschatel family (Adoxaceae). It is found nearly state-wide in Alabama, but is most common in the southern half of the state. Possum Haw Viburnum grows along streams, in swamps, and in low wet woods. It is a single or multi-trunked shrub reaching heights of 12-20 feet. The bark is smooth and gray-brown in color and dotted with corky lenticels. Stems are stiff and erect, arching with age. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, elliptic to oblanceolate in outline, with entire or finely serrate margins. Leaves are dark glossy green above and paler green below. The leaves are glandular-dotted on both surfaces (much more so on the lower surface). The leaves turn red, orange, or purple-red before falling in the autumn. Fragrant flowers are produced in rounded or flat-topped terminal cymes. Each flower has 5 cream colored lobes. The fruit is a pink, blue, or purple drupe. The drupes remain on the shrub late into winter and are a favorite of birds and small mammals. The fruits are also edible by humans and have a taste and texture similar to raisins. Possum Haw Viburnum is available in the nursery trade. Several different cultivars are available. Plants can also be grown from soft wood cuttings taken in June or from suckers.—A. Diamond

**

Native FACW+ (NWPL)

**