Viburnum acerifolium

It is a shrub growing to 1–2 metres (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall. The leaves are in opposite pairs, 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long and broad, three- to five-lobed, the lobes with a serrated margin, and the leaf surface has a fuzzy texture. There is a diverse manifestation of autumn color with this species from pale yellow to bright yellow to orange or pink, rose, or red-purple depending on the light exposure and weather conditions. The flowers are white with five small petals, produced in terminal cymes 4–8 centimetres (1.6–3.1 in) diameter. The fruit is a small red to purple-black drupe 4–8 mm (about 1/3") long. It attracts butterflies and birds. Viburnum acerifolium is a larval host to the Celastrina ladon butterfly. It grows in and around upland forest, able to do well in full shade and dry soils. It grows mostly in acid soil of pH 5.0 to 6.5, but can tolerate up to 7.5. The shrub often suckers and can form a colony in time.

Viburnum acerifolium is found in such US states as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island New York and Vermont[5] as well as Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida, Arkansas and Texas.[6]

Landscape architects and designers have often recommended it for shady, dry locations for several decades, but it is only sold at a few very large, diverse nurseries or specialty or native plant nurseries and is not generally well known in the trade or with homeowners. Its native habitats include thickets, mixed woods, bluffs, and ravines.[7]

The species' flowers are known for production of nectar and pollen which are then carried by the bee species from Andrenidae and Halictidae families as well as flies from the Empididae and Syrphidae families. The flowers also attract beetles, wasps and various butterflies (including skippers).[8]

The berries are eaten by various mammals including skunks, rabbits, deer,[6] the eastern chipmunk, white-footed mouse and deer mice. V. acerifolium also attracts various aphids, such as Viburnum leaf beetle, the wood-boring larvae of Oberea deficiens and Oberea tripunctata.[8]

The scientific and common names refer to the superficial similarity of the leaves to those of some maples (Acer); the plant is occasionally mistaken for young maples, but is readily distinguished by the flowers and fruit; the viburnum produces small, purple berries, while maples produce dry, winged seeds.

Showing fall foliage and drupes in Massachusetts

The black berries, available from late summer to autumn, can be made into jam.[9]

• Bioimages: Viburnum acerifolium