Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum
Foliage and inflorescence
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Adoxaceae
Genus: Viburnum
Species: V. rhytidophyllum
Binomial name
Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Viburnum rhytidophyllum (leatherleaf viburnum) is a species of Viburnum, native to Asia.

This vigorous, coarsely textured evergreen shrub has an upright habit and 8-inch-long, lustrous, deeply veined oval leaves with dark blue-green surfaces and pale green undersides. The leaf stems are fuzzy brown. In spring, fragrant creamy-white flowers bloom in clusters. Blue berries form in June and become plump through September, maturing to glossy black. Plants grow 10-15 feet tall and wide.

The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a suckering habit. The leaves are opposite, crinkled, downy on the underside, less so on the upper surface.

Cultivation and uses

It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant for its evergreen foliage and is tolerant of deep shade.

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