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Chinese viburnum

How to identify Chinese viburnum (Viburnum propinquum)

Chinese viburnum

Chinese viburnum is distinguished by its glossy, leathery foliage and a robust, rounded growth pattern spanning 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 meters) in both height and width. Its foliage presents a striking burgundy transformation in the autumn and winter months. This evergreen shrub flourishes with subtly eye-catching clusters of greenish-white blooms, later developing into blue-black fruits that are known to be appetizing to local songbirds.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Chinese viburnum

1

Glossy, leathery elliptic leaves turn burgundy in autumn.

2

Shiny red-brown stem with prominent lenticels ages to gray.

3

Greenish white flowers in 2-3 inch wide umbel-like clusters.

4

Glossy, egg-shaped drupes transition to deep blue-black in autumn.

5

Robust, rounded plant grows 4-8 feet in height and width.

Detailed Traits of Chinese viburnum

Leaf Features

Chinese viburnum features deep green, leathery, and glossy leaves that are elliptic to oblanceolate in shape. Measuring 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm) in length and 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) in width, these leaves have a wedge-shaped or rounded base and pointed tips. They are shallowly and sparsely toothed with a distinct 3-veined pattern. During fall and winter, the leaves turn a striking burgundy color.

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Flower Features

Chinese viburnum flowers are greenish white and appear in late spring. They are arranged in umbel-like cymes that are 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) wide. These clusters showcase small, numerous blooms, each with multiple delicate petals forming a dense cluster. While specific details about scent are not mentioned, the visually distinctive flower arrangement and color make it identifiable during its blooming period. These flowers provide a subtle yet charming visual in floral arrangements and garden settings.

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Stem Features

The stem of chinese viburnum is initially a shiny red-brown with prominent lenticels, giving it a distinct appearance. In its second year, the stem transitions to a gray color. The texture is initially smooth, later becoming slightly rough as it ages. Typically, stems are moderately thick, ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 inches (0.5 to 1.3 cm) in diameter. Branching tends to be frequent, often creating a dense framework. These features are key for identifying this plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of chinese viburnum is characterized by glossy, egg-shaped drupes, which are a type of fleshy fruit with a single hard stone enclosing the seed. Initially, these drupes showcase a vibrant color transition as the seasons change, maturing to a deep blue-black hue in the autumn. The lustrous fruits are notably persistent, often remaining attached to the plant into the winter months. Each drupe is modest in size, appealing to various wildlife, which rely on them as a food source during the colder seasons.

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American Cranberry Bush vs. Chinese 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".
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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.
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Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is a small tree that is native to Asia, but widely cultivated throughout the globe as an ornamental tree in gardens. This species is considered easy to grow in warm climates but will become damaged in frosty, cold climates.
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Key Facts About Chinese viburnum

Attributes of Chinese viburnum
Lifespan
Perennial
Spread
1.8 m to 2.5 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
5 cm to 8 cm
Flower Color
White
Green
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Chinese viburnum

Family
Moschatel
Icon allow
Species
Chinese viburnum (Viburnum propinquum)
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Distribution Map of Chinese viburnum

Chinese viburnum is native to the tropical regions of Eastern Asia, including highly biodiverse subtropical areas. Over time, chinese viburnum has been introduced to various parts of the world, often thriving in similar climates to its native habitat. The plant is now established beyond its original range, although it is most commonly associated with the eastern parts of the Asian continent.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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