Highbush Cranberry, Viburnum opulus L. var. americanum Aiton., Viburnum trilobum, Native Minnesota Wildflower shrub, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, American Cranberry Bush

(American Cranberrybush). The viburnums are shrubs of woodlands and moist woodland borders. The Highbush Cranberry is distinguished by the flowers, in clusters, where the outer ring of flowers are particularly showy and noticeable. These are sterile, whereas the inner cluster of small flowers are fertile. The leaves are three lobed and with course teeth. After flowering in May the fruit forms and gradually changes color from green to the deep red of Autumn. The fruit is acidic but properly prepared makes a good preserve. Winter Interest: Plants will hold their red fruit many times well into the winter, making a strong contrast with winter grays and whites. Many birds prefer to eat the berries after they have been once frozen and thawed, which reduces the acidic content. The majority of these shrubs of the Woodland Garden are found near the Mallard Pool, are quite old and produce quantities of berries. Botanists have recently reclassified the species of this plant from the old trilobum to a variety of V. opulus.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Highbush Cranberry	Viburnum opulus L. var. americanum Aiton. [Old = Viburnum trilobum]	Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)	Woodland	Spring
Other names and notes	(American Cranberrybush). The viburnums are shrubs of woodlands and moist woodland borders. The Highbush Cranberry is distinguished by the flowers, in clusters, where the outer ring of flowers are particularly showy and noticeable. These are sterile, whereas the inner cluster of small flowers are fertile. The leaves are three lobed and with course teeth. After flowering in May the fruit forms and gradually changes color from green to the deep red of Autumn. The fruit is acidic but properly prepared makes a good preserve. Winter Interest: Plants will hold their red fruit many times well into the winter, making a strong contrast with winter grays and whites. Many birds prefer to eat the berries after they have been once frozen and thawed, which reduces the acidic content. The majority of these shrubs of the Woodland Garden are found near the Mallard Pool, are quite old and produce quantities of berries. Botanists have recently reclassified the species of this plant from the old trilobum to a variety of V. opulus.