Species › Plants › Blackhaw

Blackhaw

Viburnum prunifolium

CommonPlant
Illustration of Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)

Blackhaw is a shrub or small tree of eastern forest edges and woodlands, producing flat-topped white flower clusters in spring and blue-black berries in fall. The berries are sweet and edible, tasting like a mild prune, and were eaten by indigenous peoples. Many bird species consume the berries, and the plant was used medicinally to prevent miscarriage.

Habitat
Forest edges, open woods, and thickets across eastern North America
Diet
Berries eaten by cedar waxwings, robins, and many forest songbirds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Blackhaw

The best time to see a Blackhaw is April–May, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,685 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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