Viburnum rufidulum

Submitted by Nisse Goldberg 04 Dec
Scientific name:  Viburnum rufidulum
Distribution
Distribution: 

The shrub Viburnum rufidulum or rusty blackhaw is distributed as far west as Kansas and in the states of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky (USDA, 2012).

References

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2012. Natural Resources Conservation Service; available at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VIRU; accessed on: October 17, 2012.

General description
Biology: 

Viburnum rufidulum does not tolerate water with a high concentration of chloride. In one experiment, Viburnum rufidulum suffered 80% leaf burn when watered with reclaimed water, although the roots were not affected (Parnell, 1990: 378).

References

Parnell, J. 1990. Reclaimed Water and Florida Natives. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticulture Society, 103: 377-379. 

Description: 

Viburnum rufidulum can reach 3.5 m in height and produce seeds after 5 years (Bonner et al., 2008: 1163). The leaf petioles and undersides have rusty hairy. The oval leaves are dark and shiny on the upper surface and can grow up to 10 cm long (Hunter, 2000: 174). The flower buds are a reddish brown and the flowers are white and occasionally even pinkish. The flowers are arranged flattened, rounded and in convex cymes (a flat-topped cluster of flowers in which the central or terminal flower opens first)(Bonner et al., 2008: 1163). The flowers can grow up to four inches across. (Hunter, 2000: 174) The flowering dates are primarily from March to June depending upon the region. (Bonner et al., 2008: 1163). Pollination is by insects (Bonner et al., 2008: 1163). The dark blue fruits are approximately 13 mm in length, elliptical (oval) and slightly flattened (Hunter, 2000: 174). The fruit ripens September to October (producing 5,200 kg dried fruits/kg) and seed dispersal can occur in December (Bonner et al., 2008: 1163, 1165).

 

References

Bonner, F. T., Gill, J. D. & Pogge, F. L. 2008. Caprifoliaceae-Honeysuckle family, 1162-1167. In: The Woody Plant Seed Manual: Agricultural Handbook No. 727. 1223 pp, Washington, DC. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Hunter, G.C. 2000. Trees, Shrubs, & Vines of Arkansas. 203 pp, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press

General description: 

Viburnum rufidulum is noted as a food source for most birds, some mammals, even including foxes. The fruits, leaves, and twigs can be eaten by herbivorous animals such as the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgianianus)  in upland forested areas (Sallee, 2002: 15).  

Historically the Plains Apache utilized the plant as a food source (one of 48 plants documented in the study), though it is unclear exactly what part of the plant was used (Jordan, 2006: 28).

 

References

Jordan, J. 2006. Vascular Plants Utilized by the Plains Apache in Southwestern Oklahoma. Publications of the Oklahoma Biological Survey 7: 24-33.

Sallee, D. 2002. Use of Geographic Information Systems and Infrared-Triggered Cameras to Assess White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virgianianus) in Denton County, Texas. (Master of Science thesis). 106 pp. Denton, Texas: University of North Texas.

Attribution
Attribution
Rights holder:  Jacksonville University
Author(s):  Eric Byrd
Author(s):  Alexis Roberson
Editor(s):  Nisse Goldberg

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