Viburnum nudum
Withe-Rod, Wild Raisin
General
This viburnum is found frequently in swamps and forested wetlands. A food source for small wildlife and deer. The fruit is edible, although more acidic than other viburnums, and the bark has historically been used as medicine.
Plant Description
Medium sized shrub. Large, entire, shiny leaves. Small white flowers grow in clusters in the spring. Ovoid berries that will change color as they ripen, from pink to red to almost black.
Height (ft)
6-10
Spread (ft)
0-0
Soil moisture
Medium to wet
Soil types
Well drained, moist loams, tolerates a wide range of soils
Wetland indicator
FACW
Shade tolerance
Tolerant, Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
Spring
Fall conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic tolerance
Tol
Drought tolerance
Tol
Salinity tolerance
Tol
Self-Pollinating?
Yes
Range
Eastern Seaboard of continental USA, from Maine to Florida, and along the coasts of the Great Lakes and along the Gulf of Mexico.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database, the Abnaki used the fruit and grains as food. The Algonquin used the berries as food as well. The Cherokee used an infusion of this plant to prevent recurring spasms, fevers, smallpox and the root bark as a tonic.