Common Name: Smooth Arrowwood
Specific Name: Viburnum dentatum
Known Occurrence at Taylor Point:
Map areas: Beach 1E, Cliffs 2A, Cliffs 2B, Cliffs 2C, Cliffs 2D, Cliffs 2H, Woodlands 3A, Woodlands 3B, Woodlands 3C, and Bridge 4A
Category: Native, Shrub
Ecological Considerations:
Viburnum dentatum, commonly called Arrowwood or Smooth Arrowwood, is a native shrub growing 3-9 feet tall and spreading sometimes up to 8 feet. The plant’s arching branches form an overall rounded crown. Its twigs are slender, ridged and angled. Its leaves are deciduous, opposite, simple, oval to oblong, obovate (inversely egg-shaped), or elliptic in shape and 1½ – 4 inches in length, with coarsely, but regularly, toothed margins. Its leaves are shiny dark green above and paler beneath, sparsely stellate (with hairs in small star-like tufts) on undersides and petioles. Foliage turns yellow to red or reddish-purple in late fall. Small white flowers are borne in 2 to 4-inch flat-topped clusters in May to early June. The ¼ inch berry-like drupes are bluish-black and attractive to wildlife. Fruiting occurs from August – November.
Invasive plants at Taylor Point that may possibly be replaced successfully by this plant:
Morrow’s Honeysuckle
Propagation Mechanisms/Strategies for Encouraging its Establishment:
Smooth Arrowwood plants are propagated by seed or vegetatively. Seed bearing age begins at approximately 3-4 years. Depending on region of collection, the seeds of V. dentatum may have a cold requirement for breaking embryo dormancy.
Vegetative reproduction is through short rhizomes and sprouts from the root crown or softwood cuttings. Smooth Arrowwood has a fibrous root system and is easily transplanted.
Best Planting Practices/Options and Pros and Cons of Options:
Key Issues Regarding its Ecology ( e.g. Which Invasives Threaten it, What Conditions Favor it)
Associated Ecological Benefits:
Arrowwood attracts birds, which eat the fruit.
Availability of Locally Sourced Seeds and Plants:
Roots & Shoots Garden Center
Rhody Native
Stewart Nursery
Case Studies of Native Plant Establishment Efforts/Lessons Learned:
Additional photos:
Sources cited:
Search at Rhode Island Native Plant Guide
USDA Fact Sheets
Missouri Botanical Garden
Key Words:
Shrub
Native
Arrowwood
Smooth Arrowwood
Viburnum dentatum