Viburnum opulus
Cranberrybush, Cranberrybush
(c) Alina Bryleva, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Viburnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Viburnum opulus (Cranberrybush) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Viburnaceae family, recognized by found only in CaRH bioregion.
Cranberrybush is a naturalized shrub found in the high Cascade Range in spring-fed montane riparian and meadow habitats at elevations of 300 to 900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces clusters of distinctive flowers with large white marginal sterile flowers up to 35 millimeters in diameter surrounding smaller fertile flowers. Growing with branches that reach a moderate height, the shrub has widely elliptic leaves divided into three distinct lobes with serrated edges. Its leaves feature petioles with large glands and blades 4 to 12 centimeters long, creating an intricate foliage pattern. The fruit develops as an ovoid structure 6 to 12 millimeters long, transitioning from yellow to orange-red as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; found only in CaRH bioregion
Habitat and range
Habitat: Spring-fed montane riparian/montane meadow habitats
Elevation: 300-900 m
California counties: Trinity, El Dorado, Nevada, Alameda, Santa Clara
Outside California: circumboreal
Bloom period
Viburnum opulus blooms May-Jul.
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 opulus native to California?
No. Viburnum opulus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Viburnum opulus bloom?
Viburnum opulus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Viburnum opulus grow?
Viburnum opulus occurs in Trinity, El Dorado, Nevada, Alameda, Santa Clara, at elevations of 300-900 m.
What plant family does Viburnum opulus belong to?
Viburnum opulus is in the Viburnaceae family, genus Viburnum.
What habitat does Viburnum opulus grow in?
Viburnum opulus grows in Spring-fed montane riparian/montane meadow habitats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.