Downy Arrowwood is a medium-sized shrub, normally reaching about 6 feet tall, with downy, toothed, opposited leaves. Southern Arrowwood (V. dentatum) is similar, but has broader, more coarsely toothed leaves and longer petioles and blooms a few weeks later.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Downy Arrowwood produces masses of ornamental but slightly malodorous flowers in mid-late April.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Downy Arrowwood has an unusual distribution in North Carolina, found only in the Piedmont region in the center of the state, where it is one of the most common shrubs. Downy Arrowwood ranges as far north as Quebec and Manitoba, so it is surprising that it doesn't occur in our Mountains. The southern limit of the range is in Georgia; this common NC species has not yet been found in South Carolina.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/10/10.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/19/2002.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/16/03.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/20/03.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/19/02.

Chapel Hill, NC 4/30/05.

Immature fruits, 20 days after flowering.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

The flowers are followed by black drupes in summer, which are soon eaten by birds.

Chapel Hill, NC 7/6/03.

Chapel Hill, NC 7/9/05.