Pollinator plant

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

8 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • American Cranberrybush[1]
  • American Guelder-rose[1]
  • Cranberry Viburnum[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Highbush cranberry
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Amerikaanse Cranberry
  • Amerikaanse sneeuwbal
  • Sneeuwbal
French
  • Viorne trilobée
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Viburnum trilobum ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • American Cranberrybush — VernacularName.tsv, line 152530; taxon B4SDW.
  • American Guelder-rose (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 152531; taxon B4SDW.
[2] Viburnum trilobum — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Cranberry Viburnum — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Viburnum trilobum.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Viburnum trilobum is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Viburnaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
2.44–3.66 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
2.44–3.66 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Arching; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
Canada to N. U.S.A.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Fruit tree, Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
3.00 m high × 2.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
2-7
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit
Functions
Pollinator plant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
1 out of 5

The fruit can be eaten raw but is also suitable for cooking. The flesh is juicy with a sour taste that comes into its own best after frost. The fruits are a good source of vitamin C and can serve as a tasty alternative to cranberries. They are often used in jams, preserves, and other dishes. Jam made from these fruits has a pleasant taste and pairs well with dishes such as porridge. The fruits have a diameter of about 8 mm and contain a large seed.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Viburnum trilobum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4150219; ID B4SDW; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4150219; ID B4SDW; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Viburnum trilobum — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Viburnum trilobum — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 187757; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 912647, 912648, 912649, 912650, 912651, 912652, 912653, 912654, 912655, 912656, 912657, 912658, 912659, 912660, 912661, 912662, 912663, 912664, 912665, 912666, 912667, 912668, 912669, 912670, 912671, 912672, 912673, 912674, 912675, 912676, 912677, 912678, 912679, 912680, 912681, 912683

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.