Native Plant Database

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Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw)
Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Viburnum prunifolium L.

Blackhaw, Smooth blackhaw, Blackhaw viburnum, Smooth blackhaw viburnum

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

USDA Symbol: VIPR

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Smooth blackhaw is a sturdy, shapely shrub or small tree, 12-15 ft. tall, sometimes growing to 30 ft. Rounded in outline, this deciduous shrub bears white flower clusters followed by yellow berries turning blue-black. Attractive, dark-green foliage becomes reddish-purple in fall. Shrub or small tree with short trunk, spreading, rounded or irregular crown, many showy, small, white flowers, and small, blue-black fruit.

The fruit is consumed by songbirds, gamebirds, and mammals and can be made into preserves. The astringent bark was formerly used medicinally. The Latin species name refers to the leaves resemblance to plum leaves.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Fruit Type: Berry
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Pink to bluish-black

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , DC
Native Distribution: CT to MI & KS, s. to GA & TX
Native Habitat: Low to upland wood edges; thickets; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist to dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: For best flowers and fruit, give black haw at least one-half day of sunlight. The plant is durable and pest free.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Berries attract birds and mammals.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Seed Collection: Collect the fruit as soon as it has turned a dark blue-black color. Store seeds with pulp on at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Crataegus monogyna (oneseed hawthorn)
   Ligustrum amurense (Amur privet)
   Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet)
   Ligustrum lucidum (glossy privet)
   Ligustrum obtusifolium (border privet)
   Ligustrum ovalifolium (California privet)
   Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet)
   Ligustrum vulgare (European privet)
   Rhamnus cathartica (common buckthorn)
   Viburnum opulus var. opulus (European cranberrybush)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: We are planning a forest food garden in the hollers of the N GA Mountains. Which edible fruit, nut, berry, herb and creepers would be best for this reddish, clay-like soil? The food garden is in a meadow sloping down to a big flat area from a pine/maple/oak forest backing. Is there a database search for edible plants by state? If so, sorry, please point us to it. - Feed the Future Food Forest Gardens across the planet
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Hi...Can you please identfy the tall, evergreen shrub with purple plum-colored foliage that I have noticed in winter locally?...Hope so, need he color! THX
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Hi. we need plants to act as a barrier fence, 15 feet tall, partial shade. We are considering a holly or virginia magnolia. What can you suggest? thank you, Nikita
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viburnum prunifolium in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viburnum prunifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viburnum prunifolium

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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