American Cranberry

(Viburnum opulus)

Other Names:
Water elder, cramp bark, snowball tree, common snowball, European cranberrybush

Range:


Family:
Adoxaceae - Moschatel Family

Growth Type:
Deciduous shrub

Height:
Can grow up to 15 feet tall. Under the right conditions, it may grow a bit taller

Leaves:
The leaves are arranged opposite along the stem. They are three-lobed and approximately 2–4 inches long. They are as broad as they are long. Each leaf has a rounded base and coarsely serrated margins. They bear a superficial resemblence to the leaves of some maples.

Stem/Trunk:
Woody stems

Root:
Not observed

Flower Season:
Early summer

Flower Appearance:
The white flowers are borne in an inflourescence at the top of the branch.

Seed/Fruit:
The pollenated flowers ripen to a red drupe approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diamater. Each fruit contains a single seed

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
V. opulus can grow in most soils, but it prefers moist, moderately alkaline soils.

Parts Used:
Fruit, Roots, Bark

Culinary Uses:
V. opulus can be eaten in any way you would eat traditional cranberries.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Uses:
Dysmenorrhea and other uterine pain with clonic, rhythmic cramps, intestinal or rectal cramps, referred thigh and leg sacral dermatomes; threatened miscarriages with similar symptoms.

Medicinal Actions:
Antiasthmatic, Antiscorbutic, Antispasmodic