How to identify Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)

How to identify Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)

Sweet viburnum presents as a robust, evergreen shrub or small tree reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters) in both height and width. It boasts large, leathery leaves that have a rich, dark green hue with a glossy finish. When in bloom, the plant is enveloped in clusters of highly fragrant, white flowers, which emanate a strong, sweet aroma. Its blooms are a highlight in the spring season, creating a noticeable display. The leaves' elongated shape and the plant's dense foliage contribute to its ornamental appeal.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Sweet viburnum

Large, leathery leaves with a dark green hue and glossy finish.

Clusters of fragrant, white, funnel-shaped flowers in conical panicles.

Small, spherical drupes starting red and maturing to black, with a single seed.

Oppositely arranged leaves measuring 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide.

Delicate bark with smooth texture, gray to brown color, and thin, layered outer covering.

Detailed Traits of Sweet viburnum

Leaf Features

The leaves of sweet viburnum are large and leathery, measuring 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide. They have an olive green color and are arranged oppositely. The margins of the leaves are generally entire but may occasionally have a few teeth. The leaves display pinnate venation and lack fall color changes.

Leaf Shape

Obovate ,

Elliptic

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Margin

Entire

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of sweet viburnum are small, fragrant, and funnel-shaped, displaying a pristine white color. They bloom in conical terminal panicles, creating a dense and attractive flower cluster. Each individual flower measures about 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter. The blooming period typically occurs in late spring to early summer, emanating a sweet, pleasing scent that attracts various pollinators. Their arrangement and fragrance are key identifying features for sweet viburnum, making them a distinct component of the plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of sweet viburnum is a small, spherical drupe measuring around 1/4 inch (approximately 6 mm) in diameter. Initially, these fruits take on a bright red hue, maturing to a deep black as they ripen. They exhibit a fleshy exterior with a smooth texture, housing a single, relatively hard seed within. Despite being non-showy, meaning they are not particularly ornamental, and offering little in the way of wildlife appeal, these drupes are a distinct characteristic of the species, providing subtle visual interest in the landscape where they occur.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Sweet viburnum and Their Similar Plants

American Cranberry Bush vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

The guelder-rose (*Viburnum opulus*) is a large deciduous shrub famous for its bushy appearance, snowball-shaped flowers, and clusters of bright red berries. Its fruits are very acidic, so they are usually relegated to jams. Due to the low toxicity of the fruit, large amounts of consumption may cause discomfort. The guelder-rose is one of american Cranberry Bush's national symbols and the main theme of the famous Russian song "Kalinka".

Laurustinus vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

Laurustinus (*Viburnum tinus*) is a flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and it often adorns winter gardens. When little else is growing during cold days of winter, laurustinus produces numerous clusters of tiny white flowers.

Japanese snowball vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

Japanese snowball is a popular deciduous ornamental shrub that can grow up to heights of 3 m tall. The japanese snowball blooms in the spring with clumps of white flowers that resemble snowballs and provides attractive foliage throughout the summer and fall.

Wayfaring tree vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

The wayfaring tree can be used as an ornamental plant due to its vibrant berries. While beautiful, the berries are toxic and can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia.

Arrowwood viburnum vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

Arrowwood viburnum (*Viburnum dentatum*) is a small perennial woody shrub native to the eastern United States and Canada. This shrub is not typically used for ornamental purposes aside from shrub hedges. It has the potential to attract songbirds and white flies.

Leatherleaf viburnum vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

Leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) is an Asian native flowering plant. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant that is especially popular for shade gardens because It can grow in deep shade.

Koreanspice viburnum vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

Fragrant pink buds that turn to white blooms are the hallmark of the koreanspice viburnum, a member of the elderberry family. Also known as the Viburnum carlesii, this deciduous shrub is hardy in grow zones four through seven. Essentially rabbit proof, the koreanspice viburnum is attractive to butterflies and caterpillars and produces beautiful fall foliage. Only female bushes will produce berries.

Nannyberry vs. Sweet viburnum: What's The Difference?

This large bush, the nannyberry, is known for its lush green foliage which turns red in the fall. It grows interesting, uniquely flavored edible berry which looks a bit wrinkled when ripe. The nannyberry, or Viburnum lentago is sometimes called the sheepberry because its berries are said to have the fragrance of wet sheep’s wool when overripe.

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Key Facts About Sweet viburnum

Attributes of Sweet viburnum

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

10 m to 15 m

Spread

4.5 m to 8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Flower Color

White

Fruit Color

Red

Black

Stem Color

Green

Yellow

Orange

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Sweet viburnum

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Sweet viburnum

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Moschatel

Genus

Viburnum

Species

Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)

Learn More About the Sweet viburnum

Distribution Map of Sweet viburnum

Sweet viburnum is a plant species native to Eastern and Southeastern Asia. It thrives in subtropical regions and has been introduced to other areas with similar climates for ornamental cultivation. Its native range extends across various major regions of Asia, and over time, cultivation has contributed to a broader but controlled presence beyond its original habitat.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Sweet viburnum

A Comprehensive Guide to Sweet viburnum How to Grow and Care for Sweet viburnum