Black Haw
Viburnum prunifolium

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 6 m high and spreads 3.5 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 4-7.5 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The leaves are round or oval and have fine sharp teeth. They are shiny green above and dull light green underneath. The flower buds are red and the flowers are white. The flowers are 6 mm wide. They are in flat topped clusters. The fruit are small and yellow-green but ripen to blue-black. They are 12 mm long and have a sweetish edible pulp.

There are about 150 Viburnum species. Also put in the family Caprifoliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist soils especially in river valleys. In SE of the USA it grows to 910 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Europe, India, North America (country/location of origin), Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for preserves, jams, jellies and drinks. The best kinds can be eaten raw. The leaves are also eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nanny-berry, Sheepberry, Stagberry, Stagbush, Sweet haw

Synonyms

Viburnum prunifolium var. prunifolium;