American Cranberry

(Viburnum opulus Var. americanum)

American Cranberry flower

A graceful, deciduous shrub, American Cranberry (Viburnum opulus Var. americanum) is one of 20 species of Viburnum native to North America and of 150-175 species worldwide, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to their showy blooms and fall color, both native and hybrid viburnums are popular in landscaping, including the spectacular Snowball Bush.

American Cranberry adapts to many soil types, but it does like a bit of moisture. It is commonly found in wetlands and moist open woods, in part shade to full sun. Many stems arch outward to create a pleasantly rounded shape from five to twelve feet high and equally as wide. If needed, it can be pruned after flowering.

Clusters of creamy white flowers appear in late spring to early summer. The blooms, which don't all open at once, consist of saucer-sized cymes bearing two kinds of flowers. Around the outside edge are large, sterile florets while tiny fertile florets with extended yellowish anthers fill the center. The two different sizes and colors create a lacy appearance.

Flowers are followed in late summer and early fall by clusters of small, red berries (drupes) each with one, flattened seed. While they are edible right off the bush, when immature they can cause stomach upset and vomiting. Their flavor resembles the Thanksgiving cranberry, though the two plants are in different botanical families. Native tribes and early settlers harvested American Cranberry after a frost and boiled them with apples to make tasty jams and jellies.

American Cranberry fruit

The leaves of American Cranberry resemble wrinkled maple leaves usually two-five inches long and arranged oppositely along the stem. They are dark green, three-lobed, three-veined and coarsely toothed. An attractive foliage during the summer they are outstanding in the fall, turning yellowish-red to reddish purple.

The dense growth pattern of American Cranberry creates natural cover for small animals and gamebirds, and nesting sites for songbirds. Pollinated by insects, it is the larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly. The berries are occasional food for most wildlife and birds, making it a wonderful choice in a wildlife garden, either as a specimen plant, hedge or screen.

The European Viburnum opulus is the national symbol of Ukraine and is often featured in Ukrainian embroidery. It is found in folklore tales depicting the birth of the universe and its berries symbolize blood and family roots. Unlike our American variety, the European version is not used for food as it tends to be bitter.

Native tribes dried mashed berries in cakes for winter use; a good source of vitamin C. The common name “Cramp Bark” refers to teas and tinctures made from the bark to relieve stomach and menstrual cramps.

A lovely American Cranberry bush grows on the left as you enter from the parking lot of the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum, 611 S Ella St. in Sandpoint. Pictures and a description are found on page 71 of Landscaping with NativePlants in the Idaho Panhandle, a KNPS publication available at local bookstores and the Bonner County History Museum.

Native Plant Notes are created by the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society. To learn more about KNPS and the North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum, explore www.nativeplantsociety.org.