Black viburnum or Buryat viburnum

Family Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle family). Occurs in the south of Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krais, in Northeast China, and in North Korea. Grows in coniferous-broadleaf forests on fertile soils. Shade-tolerant hygrophyte.

Completely unlike the common viburnum, it is a strongly branching, spreading shrub up to 3 m tall, sometimes a small tree with a spreading, open crown, a gray trunk and bare, light, yellowish-gray branches. Leaves elliptic, sometimes ovate (7.5 x 5 cm), acute at the apex, with a sharply serrate margin, dark green above with sparse hairs, paler beneath, densely hairy along the veins; yellowish-white, inconspicuous flowers (only fruit-bearing) are gathered in compound, corymb-like inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter. Fruits have a black, shiny skin and sweet, mealy flesh, edible, up to 0.8 cm in diameter.

Unlike other species, it is light-loving and demanding of soil fertility. Easily tolerates transplantation, but poorly tolerates urban conditions. Decorative throughout the season, but especially in autumn. Black viburnum is recommended for group plantings along forest edges, pond shores, in parks and forest parks. In cultivation since 1900.