VIBURNUM, a genus of handsome shrubs (rarely small trees) of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae, q.v.), compris ing about I I° species, found in temperate and subtropical regions, especially in eastern Asia and North America, many of which are planted for ornament. They are usually upright rather large shrubs with opposite, simple, medium-sized leaves, and numerous flowers, mostly in large umbel-like clusters, the marginal flowers sometimes enlarged and sterile. The fruit is a drupe, often highly coloured, with a single, usually flattened stone. Two species are native to Great Britain: V. Lantana (wayfaring-tree), found widely also in Europe and naturalized in the eastern United States; and V. 0 pulus (guelder-rose), indigenous to Europe and Asia. The
common snowball of the gardens is a floral variant of the latter. In the United States and Canada some 15 species occur, several of which are widely distributed. Four species attain the size of trees: V. Lentago (nanny-berry), V. prunifolium (black haw), V. rufidulum (rusty black haw) and V. obovatum (small viburnum). Well-known shrubby species are V. trilobum (high-bush cran berry), V. alnifoliurn (hobble-bush), V. dentatum (arrow-wood), and V. acerifolium (dockmackie).
Besides the foregoing many other species are cultivated for their ornamental foliage, flowers and fruit.