Possumhaw Viburnum is an uncommon large shrub or small tree, with slightly leathery opposite leaves with entire, sometimes wavy margins.

Scotland Co., NC 11/1/08.

Possumhaw Viburnum could also be confused with Swamp Dogwood (Cornus amomum), but dogwoods can easily be recognized by the distinctive leaf veins that parallel the leaf margin.

Chapel Hill, NC 9/9/06.

This wetland tree, which occurs throughout North Carolina, is similar to Withe-rod (Viburnum cassinoides) of the Mountains and upper Piedmont, which some sources list as a variety of V. nudum.

V. nudum has shiny leaves with entire margins, while the leaves of V. cassinoides are dull above and have crenulate margins. The peduncle averages 35 mm long, vs. 13 mm long for V. cassinoides.

Harnett Co., NC 6/5/05.

The flowers are a popular nectar source for butterflies, such as these Palamedes Swallowtails.

Dare Co., NC 6/1/07.

Ripening drupes.

Moore Co., NC 6/10/06.

Croatan National Forest, Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

Croatan National Forest, Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

The ornamental drupes turn white, then pink, then dark blue as they ripen.

Tyrrell Co., NC 9/13/03.

Bark of a small tree.

Moore Co., NC 3/17/07.

Chapel Hill, NC 9/9/06.