Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry) Adoxaceae

Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry, Sheepberry, or Sweet Viburnum) is a species of Viburnumnative to the northeastern and midwestern United States, and in southern Canada from New Brunswick west to southeastern Saskatcewan. Isolated populations are found in the Dakotas, Wyoming, Colorado and the Appalachin mountains as far south as Kentucy and Virginia.

Physical characteristics

 Leaf:  the leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the twigs; they are oval, ~2 - 4 in (5–10 cm) long and ~3/4 in - 2 in (2–5 cm) broad, wedge-shaped, rounded or subordinate at base, with an acuminate apex and a finely serrated margin, and a winged petiole. They open from the bud involute, bronze green and shining, hairy and downy; when full grown are bright green and shining above, pale green and marked with tiny black dots beneath. In autumn they turn a deep red, or red and orange.

Flower | Seeds: are small, 5–6 mm diameter, with five whitish petals, arranged in large round terminal cymes 5–12 cm diameter; flowering is in late spring. The calyx is tubular, equally five-toothed, persistent; the corolla is equally five-lobed, imbricate in the bud, cream-white, one-quarter of an inch across; lobes acute, and slightly erose. There are five stamens, inserted on the base of the corolla, alternate with its lobes, filaments slender; anthers bright yellow, oblong, introrse, versatile, two-celled; cells opening longitudinally. The pistil has a one-celled inferior ovary, the style thick, short, light green, and the stigma broad; there is one ovule in each cell. The fruit is a small round blue-black drupe, 8–16 mm long on a reddish stem; it is thick skinned, sweet and rather juicy, and edible. 

Life span: The entire life cycle of the viburnum leaf beetle takes about 8-10 weeks. Larvae hatch in early May and feed on the viburnum leaves throughout the larval period, which lasts 4-5 weeks

 Distribution range 

Importance to the ecosystem

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prune immediately after flowering since flower buds form in summer for the following year. 

Work Cited

http://www.gardenguides.com/taxonomy/nannyberry-viburnum-lentago/ 

http://www.roundrockjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/catalpa%20bark.JPG

http://www.meridian.k12.il.us/middle%20school/student_work/jennifer/nannyberryTree-2.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fun Facts

• Height: 14 to 16 feet
  Spread: 6 to 12 feet
  Bloom Time: May

   

• For more information: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/m750/viburnum-lentago.aspx