Southern Arrowwood

Last summer at Duke Farms we planted some Southern Arrowwood (AKA Arrowwood Viburnum), though those were young plants that don't give you a good sense of what they look like when they mature. I'm pretty sure I found full grown Southern Arrowwood at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (albeit not the swampiest part of the refuge).

This picture was taken in early autumn, and you can see the abundant berries this plant produces. Though I believe the berries are edible, they weren't listed among one of the viburnums typically eaten. I assume this means you probably wouldn't enjoy eating them yourself, though I'd sure birds and maybe some mammals are happy to eat them.

September 30, 2021 at Great Swamp
Photo 168357792, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

These plants were probably on the small side of mature plants, closer to 6' than the 10' they can get up to. Although you can see the relatively straight woody "trunks" that Native Americans found suitable for making arrows.

September 30, 2021 at Great Swamp
Photo 168357806, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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