Alternate name: Mapleleaf Arrowwood

Family: Caprifoliaceae, Honeysuckle view all from this family

Description Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leaf Viburnum or Dockmackie) is native to eastern North America from southwestern Quebec and Ontario south to northern Florida and eastern Texas.

It is a shrub growing to 1-2 m tall. The leaves are in opposite pairs, 5-10 cm long and broad, three- to five-lobed, the lobes with a serrated margin. The flowers are white with five small petals, produced in terminal cymes 4-8 cm diameter. The fruit is a small red to purple drupe 4-8 mm long.

The scientific and common names refer to the superficial similarity of the leaves to those of some maples (Acer); the plant is occasionally mistaken for young maples, but is readily distinguished by the flowers and fruit; the viburnum produces small, purple berries, while maples produce dry, winged seeds.

Habitat Canyons & valleys.

Range Southeast, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Florida, Great Lakes, Texas.

Comments Suckers profusely to form large, loose, open colonies.

Exposure Preference Shade to partial shade.

Flower May (in south); June (in north)

Native Distribution New Brunswick to Upper Peninsula Michigan, s. to Florida & Texas

Site Preference Mesic, mixed woods; bluffs; ravines

Soil Preference Dry, rocky soils. pH 5.1-6.

Wildlife Value Birds eat the blue berries.