Sometimes lumped with its southern counterpart Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum) as V. nudum var. cassinoides (L.) Torr. & Gray , Withe-rod is a fairly common large shrub or small tree of the Mountains and adjacent areas in the Piedmont. The slightly leathery opposite leaves are dull above and have crenulate margins -- V. nudum has shiny leaves with entire margins. The peduncle averages 13 mm long, vs. 35 mm long for V. nudum.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.

"Withe" is an Old English word for a flexible twig and "rod" is another word for twig. Northern Wild Raisin is another common name for this species.

Jackson Co., NC 5/14/06.

Bark detail.

Clay Co., NC 5/13/06.