Downy Arrow-wood

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Downy Arrow-wood (Rafinesque's Arrow-wood)
Viburnum rafinesquianum [C-value 5]
Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
Blooms mid-May - mid-June

The native Downy Arrow-wood is uncommon in our area. It prefers full or partial sun and slightly moist to dry well-drained soil. This small deciduous shrub is 3-6' tall at maturity. Pairs of opposite leaves occur along young shoots and branches. The hairy leaves are 1½–2½" long and 1-2" across, lance-shaped and deeply toothed. Many upper shoots terminate in dome-shaped panicles (1½–3" across) of white flowers, each about ¼" across with 5 petals.

Downy Arrow-wood bush at Hudson Park Oswego May 28, 2017

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