Viburnum dilatatum Thunb. (Zofnass Family Preserve)
Shrub or small tree. Leaves simple, opposite, turning reddish in autumn; petioles present; blades obovate, the margins straight, entire basally, rounded, dentate apically. Inflorescences terminal, the peduncle radiating from a common point into secondary peduncles. Fruits first green then red at maturity.
Linden virburnum, linden arrowwood.
Eastern Asia.
According to Cronquist (1991) this species has escaped from cultivation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania but also occurs sporadically outside of cultivation in other areas of the northeastern United States.
Understory of deciduous forest on well-drained soils.
Green, immature fruits have been collected in the Zofnass Family Preserve in July.
The red fruits are most likely dispersed by birds.
The specific epithet means expanded or enlarged but to what part of the plant this refers to we do not yet know.
Not applicable to alien plants.
Viburnum dilatatum is an emerging invasive species presently occuring in a relatively small area in Westchester County. This species is a cultivated alien species, but based on our assessment, it is scattered over 2.4 hectares (6.1 acres) in the Southern Loop area of the Zofnass Family Preserve. Most of the plants are around 30 cm tall and are not reproductive, but we have also observed a considerable number of plants more than 2 m tall. These mature plants produce countless red fruits each year, and within five years, they will mature and produce large numbers of seeds. If the larger individuals are removed now, it is possible to keep this invasive from becoming a threat to the Preserve’s native flora.