Viburnum opulus
Viburnum opulus

This plant was assessed as Lower Risk in our Research Portal. You can conduct your own research on this or other plants by creating a free login to the portal.

Lower Risk
Invasive overseasNaturalised in a similar climateReproduces and spreads vegetativelySpread long distances by birds

Viburnum opulus (Cranberry Bush Viburnum; European Cranberry, Snowball Tree)

( Viburnum opulus subsp. opulus, Viburnum opulus var. opulus)

Viburnum opulus is a vigorous deciduous shrub native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It has been in the ornamental trade in Australia since the 1850s. It has invasive tendencies, and it is now found in the wild from Newfoundland south to Virginia and west to Washington state in USA. In addition, some of its close relatives such as V. dilatatum, V. plicatum and V. sieboldii are considered invasive in the Mid-Atlantic region of USA. Although it is not naturalised in NSW, there is a high degree of climate similarity between its native range and NSW. It can spread vegetatively by rooting at nodes and the fruits are dispersed by birds. This plant produces clusters of white flowers.