PLANT PROFILE

Viburnum dentatum
arrowwood


Viburnum dentatum

Viburnum dentatum
Viburnum dentatum
Photo courtesy Renee Brecht
Britton & Brown Line Drawing
Botanical name: Viburnum dentatum
Common name: arrowwood
Group: dicot
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Growth type: tree/shrub
Duration: perennial
Origin: native
Plant height: 6 - 12'
Foliage: many branching; leaves opposite, coarsely toothed, egg-shaped, and prominently veined beneath
Flower: showy creamy white, flat topped inflorescence app. 3" across
Flowering time: bloom mid May to mid July; fruit early August to October
Habitat: low, wet or dry ground of swamps, alluvial wood edges
Range in New Jersey: statewide, but only intrusive in Pine barrens up coastal streams (Hough)
Heritage ranking, if any: n/a
Distribution:
Misc. Makes an attractive ornamental shrub. It is distinguished from the northern variety, V. recognitum, which has a smooth twig; V. dentatum has downy twigs. The berries (bluish black drupes) are eaten by bluebirds, northern flickers, catbirds, and American robins. It also attracts birds and butterflies, and is a larval host for spring azure.