Viburnum opulus is a small, perennial, deciduous shrub growing from 6.5-11.5 ft. (2-3.5 m) tall. The bark is light grey to brown when mature. It is native to Europe, northern Africa and northern Asia.
Foliage
The leaves have three pointed lobes and are coarsely toothed; 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) long. The leaf stalk has two glands at the base of the leaf.
Flowers
The white flowers are held in 3-4 in. (7.5-10 cm) wide, flat-topped umbels. The individual flowers are tiny and five-petaled.
Fruit
The rounded red fruits are translucent and contain one flattened seed. The fruits often persist on the plant through the winter and is generally not eaten by wildlife.
Ecological Threat
Viburnum opulus is reported in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland. In the United States it is reported from Washington east to Maine and as far south as Missouri and Virginia. It poses an ecological threat by competing with native plants for habitat and resources. It can be found in swamps, bogs, stream banks, open woodlands, forest edges, hedgerows and thickets. It grows in both heavy clay and acidic soil.