Arrowwood viburnum is an upright, multibranched shrub with slender, elongated, ascending branches and many shoots from the base.
Leaves are opposite, simple, 1–4½ inches long, oval or rounded; coarsely toothed with 5–22 teeth per side, strongly veined with the secondary veins running straight to the tips of the teeth; with long leafstalks; dull green; lower surface has tiny star-shaped hairs.
Bark is smooth, tight, gray or reddish brown; pores cream-colored and prominent.
Twigs are slender, elongate, straight or arching, young ones hairy, older ones smooth.
Flowers May–June; small, white, numerous in upright clusters 2–4 inches wide, at the ends of branches or on short side branches. Flowers are trumpet-shaped with 5 spreading lobes; the stamens extend beyond the petals.
Fruits August–November; clusters of blue or blue-black berries, each ¼–⅜ inch long, globe- or egg-shaped.
Similar species: Ten species in genus Viburnum are known to grow wild in our state. Viburnums can be difficult to identify to species, involving fairly fussy characteristics of the leaves, such as leafstalk length, venation patterns, the number of teeth along one side, and other precise details.
Height: to 15 feet.
In the wild, known only in Shelby County, along the Salt River. Can be cultivated statewide.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs naturally in low alluvial or bottomland woods on terraces and on moist, wooded slopes.
It tolerates clay soils and proximity to black walnut trees, as it is resistant to the chemical juglone.
If you're thinking about planting it, remember that it grows best in partial shade to full sun, in well-drained soil. Prune immediately after flowering, since it develops its flower buds for the next year during the summer. This shrub overwinters well and grows vigorously, and it's a great native plant to add to your landscaping.
Status
Missouri native shrub. Although it is widespread in eastern North America, it is critically imperiled and a species of conservation concern in Missouri.
Human Connections
The white flower clusters and dark blue berries make this an attractive hedge for landscaping. Its dense foliage makes it great for tall screens. It remains a favorite for multi-season appeal, transitioning from spring blooms to vibrant red or reddish-purple autumn foliage.
Native Americans used the straight young stems as arrows, hence the common name.
Ecosystem Connections
This species provides food and cover for wildlife. It serves as a larval host plant for the spring azure butterfly and various clearwing moths. The flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies, sometimes exhibiting a heavy biennial blooming cycle. The fruits are eaten by birds ranging from songbirds like cardinals, robins, and catbirds to gallinaceous birds like ruffed grouse and wild turkey. The high fat content of the fruit is especially valuable for migrating songbirds in late summer and fall. Mammals including deer, skunk, rabbits, and mice eat the berries, too. Deer and beaver eat the leaves.
