Lower Risk

Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki (Awabuki Sweet Viburnum)

(Viburnum arboricola, Viburnum awabuki)

This is a naturally occurring variety of the exotic shrub Virburnum odoratissimum native to Taiwan and Japan. It has become naturalised in NSW and QLD. It was considered a serious problem in the Coffs Harbour area (NSW), and it has also been recorded as a weed in Port Macquarie, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. However, it is not listed at the state level anywhere in Australia. It has not been recorded as invasive anywhere in the world. Awabuki Sweet Viburnum is best known for its fragrant white flowers borne in clusters in Spring and Summer. Following the flowers, red berries appear which turn to black as they ripen. Animals disperse the seeds.