How to identify American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum opulus)
American Cranberry Bush, also known as American Guelder-Rose, Black Haw, Common Guelder-Rose, Common Snowball, Cranberry bush viburnum, European cranberrybush, Cramp bark, Water elder
American Cranberry Bush is recognized by its lush, lobed leaves and clusters of snowball-like flowers that transition from white to blush pink through blooming season. Come autumn, the leaves take on a vibrant red-orange hue. This shrub grows to about 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters) tall and wide. Distinctive red drupes appear after flowering, often mistaken for true cranberries in appearance but not related. These berries add ornamental value alongside the vivid foliage.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Shrub
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Snowball-like flower clusters transitioning from white to blush pink.
Bright red drupes resembling cranberries but unrelated, persisting post-frost.
Glossy dark green, three-lobed leaves with serrated margins and yellow to red-purple autumn color.
Brown twigs with white lenticels, 0.1-0.3 inches (2.5-7.5 mm) in diameter.
Robust trunk with gray-brown waxy bark that peels, revealing fissures and furrows.
The leaves of american Cranberry Bush are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and nearly as wide. They are glossy dark green, three-lobed with pointed tips and a rounded base. The margins are serrated, and the surface is somewhat wrinkled with prominent, impressed venation. In autumn, the leaves can display sporadic colors ranging from yellow to red-purple.
American Cranberry Bush flowers are characterized by their flat-topped clusters, measuring 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) across. The flowers are predominantly white, with larger sterile flowers forming a ring around the smaller, fertile ones in the center. This arrangement creates a striking contrast within the cluster. The petals of the larger sterile flowers are more prominent and have a rounded shape, while the fertile flowers are less conspicuous. The blooms typically appear in late spring to early summer, adding a bright, delicate touch to the plant.
American Cranberry Bush features brown, glabrous twigs adorned with white, prominent lenticels. These stems are typically smooth and hairless, offering a stark contrast with the scattered, small, corky spots. With a slender yet sturdy composition, american Cranberry Bush stems exhibit a consistent branching pattern, important for identification. The approximate diameter of the twigs ranges from 0.1 to 0.3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 mm), ensuring easy differentiation from similar species. These attributes contribute to the definitive characteristics essential for recognizing american Cranberry Bush.
The fruit of american Cranberry Bush is a conspicuous bright red drupe, measuring approximately 0.3 inches (7.6 mm) across. It matures in fall, adopting a distinctive, somewhat bitter taste and is known for its tendency to shrivel post-frost, resembling a red raisin. This hardy drupe endures through winter, providing a pop of color against the snow. The fruit's persistence and shriveled appearance are notable identifiers for the species.
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Scientific Classification of American Cranberry Bush
