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Viburnum obovatum Walter
Walter's Viburnum
Small-leaf Viburnum
Small-leaf Arrowwood
Florida native
This shrub or small tree of floodplain forests, streambanks, swamp margins and hammocks is common throughout most of Florida. Viburnum obovatum ranges into the coastal plains of South Carolina and Georgia, plus one county in Alabama.
The flat topped clusters of small white flowers appear in February and March, making this the earliest blooming of the Viburnums. Fruits are ellipsoid drupes from 6 to 10mm (1/4 to just under a half inch) long, initially green, then red and turning black as they mature. The simple leaves are opposite, typically wider beyond the middle, sessile or short petiolate, and smaller than other members of the genus. Leaf margins may be entire or slightly toothed, especially towards the tip. The underside of the leaves is covered with small brown dots and the twigs may be covered with numerous small bumps. The early flowering season and attractive fall fruit make Walter's viburnum a popular native landscaping plant.
Viburnum obovatum is a member of the Adoxaceae - Moschatel family.
Other species of the Viburnum genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Viburnum dentatum - SOUTHERN ARROWWOOD
Viburnum odoratissimum - SWEET VIBURNUM
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: May 18, 2024
