Viburnum ellipticum
Oval-leaved viburnum, Oval-Leaved Viburnum
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Viburnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Viburnum ellipticum (Oval-leaved viburnum) is a native California shrub in the Viburnaceae family, recognized by (V. rigidum); distinguished by leaf shape and flower arrangement.
Oval-leaved viburnum is a California native shrub found in northwestern California, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, and San Francisco Bay Area in chaparral and yellow-pine forest, typically on north-facing slopes at elevations of 300 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers approximately 6 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Growing with erect branches 1 to 2 meters tall, the shrub develops a dense, rounded form. Its leaves are distinctively elliptical to round, 2 to 6 centimeters long, with coarse teeth along the upper half and covered in numerous non-glandular hairs. The fruit develops as an elliptical drupe that begins red and darkens to black as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (V. rigidum); distinguished by leaf shape and flower arrangement
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, yellow-pine forest, generally n-facing slopes
Elevation: 300-1400 m
California counties: Fresno, Contra Costa, Glenn, Sonoma, Mendocino, Shasta, Humboldt, El Dorado, Placer, Napa, Mariposa
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Viburnum ellipticum blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Hydrangea: Leaves with simple veining from midrib vs. Hydrangea's strongly palm-veined leaves.; vs Photinia: Opposite leaves vs. Photinia's alternate leaf arrangement.; vs Rosa: Leaves without thorns or prickles vs. rose's armed stems.; vs Rhaphiolepis: Opposite leaves vs. Rhaphiolepis's alternate leaves.; vs Sambucus: Simple undivided leaves vs. elderberry's compound leaves divided into 5-9 leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Viburnum ellipticum native to California?
Yes. Viburnum ellipticum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Viburnum ellipticum bloom?
Viburnum ellipticum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Viburnum ellipticum grow?
Viburnum ellipticum occurs in Fresno, Contra Costa, Glenn, Sonoma, Mendocino, Shasta, Humboldt, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 300-1400 m.
What plant family does Viburnum ellipticum belong to?
Viburnum ellipticum is in the Viburnaceae family, genus Viburnum.
Is Viburnum ellipticum rare or endangered?
Viburnum ellipticum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.