Viburnum dentatum L.
Arrowwood, southern arrowwood
Arrowwood is native to eastern and southeastern North America.
Plants: A densely-branched shrub that is 6–10′ (1.8–3 m) around. (Rarely, plants can reach 15′ (4.6 m).)
Leaves: Often shiny, roughly oval, toothed, strongly textured (“pleated”) and veined, somewhat rough to the touch, and 2–4½″ (5–11 cm) long. In the fall, leaves may turn yellow or reddish purple.
Flowers: Cream-colored corymbs (flat-topped flower clusters) 1–4″ (2.5–10 cm) across consist of tiny flowers about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across. Flowers smell mildly unpleasant.
Fruits: Blue-black berries ¼″ (6.3 mm) around appear in flattened clusters.
Habitats: Occasionally saturated or very wet soils, and consistently moist, well-drained soils.
See this comparison table showing viburnums that are presently in our database, or this nicely done Viburnum species guide.
Online References:
Carolina Nature (Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum)
8/12/2025 · Wildes Wildlife Management Area, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm) 
8/11/2009 · Townsend, Massachusetts 
6/22/2023 · Florida Lake Park, Freeport, Maine 
6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) 
ID is uncertain 
6/22/2023 · Florida Lake Park, Freeport, Maine 
7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia · ≈ 4 × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
8/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain 
9/25/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 7″ (13 × 16 cm) 
6/13/2025 · River Point Conservation Area, Falmouth, Maine 
9/25/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
8/20/2025 · Peaks Island, Maine · ≈ 16 × 11″ (40 × 27 cm) 
6/12/2023 · Viles Arboretum, Augusta, Maine 
8/15/2009 · Naumanns, Chelmsford, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 1½′ (69 × 46 cm) ID is uncertain 
6/12/2023 · Viles Arboretum, Augusta, Maine 
6/5/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) 
6/5/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 4″ (13 × 10 cm) 
6/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain 
6/5/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 5″ (15 × 13 cm) 
6/5/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm) 
8/15/2009 · Naumanns, Chelmsford, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 1′ (62 × 41 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/1/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain 
8/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) 
7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (16 × 12 cm) 
7/19/2017 · Monongahela National Forest, Monongahela, West Virginia · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Dipsacales | Includes viburnum, honeysuckle, snowberry, beautybush, twinflower, many others |
| Family | Adoxaceae | Elders and viburnums |
| Genus | Viburnum | Latin for “a kind of shrub” |
| Species | dentatum | For dentata, toothed like a saw |
Viburnum dentatum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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