Stagberry, Black Haw, Hybrid blackhaw, Smooth Blackhaw, Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Physical Characteristics

Viburnum prunifolium is a deciduous Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas and Kansas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 5, 55, 62, 200, 257]. A thin dry flesh with a sweet taste[11, 159, 227]. The fruit is somewhat variable in size and quality, the best forms are nice raw whilst others are used for making preserves etc[183]. The taste is best after a frost[22, 46, 61]. The ovoid fruit is about 17mm long and contains a single large seed[200].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Anodyne Antispasmodic Astringent Birthing aid Dysentery Nervine Sedative Stagberry was used by the North American Indians to treat dysentery and to arrest haemorrhage of the uterus. It is now considered to be a specific treatment for the relief of menstrual pain - the bark contains 'scopoletin', a coumarin that has a sedative affect on the uterus and salicin, a painkiller that is used in making aspirin. The bark of the root and stems is abortifacient, anodyne, antispasmodic, astringent, nervine and sedative. A tea is used internally in the treatment of painful or heavy menstruation, prolapse of the uterus, morning sickness, to prevent miscarriage and to relieve spasms after childbirth. It is also used to treat convulsive disorders, colic and other cramping pains that affect the bile ducts, hysteria, asthma and palpitations of a nervous origin. The stem bark is harvested in the autumn before the leaves change colour, or in the spring before the leaf buds open. The root bark is only harvested in the autumn. Both barks can be dried for later use.

Known Hazards

Overdose symptoms include: nausea, dizziness, fits (seizures), visual disturbances, increased perspiration, reduced pulse rate. Rare allergic reactions. Avoid during pregnancy due to effects on the uterus [301].