Flower Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| English Name | Japanese Snowball |
| Also Known As | Japanese Snowball Bush |
| Scientific Name | Viburnum plicatum |
| MainColor | White |
| PlantType |  Shrub |
| Distribution |  Cultivated |
| Season Found | May (May - Jun) |
| ImageUrl | Viburnum-001 |
| Photographer | DP |
| Location Found | Kings Langley |
| Country Found | UK |
| Last Updated | 01 September 2026 |
| Photo Quality | B |
Flower Details
Description
A deciduous shrub with a tiered branching structure, showy white lacecap or snowball-like flower clusters in late spring, and red berries in summer that ripen to black. It also features striking red-purple autumn foliage, making it popular in ornamental landscaping.
Distribution
Native to Japan and China. Widely cultivated in the UK as a decorative shrub but not naturalised.
Medicinal/Other Uses
Some Viburnum species have been used in traditional medicine for muscle spasms and cramps, but V. plicatum is primarily ornamental.
Edibility
Berries are not edible for humans.
Human Toxicity
Mildly_Toxic
The berries may cause mild stomach upset if eaten by humans or pets.
Pet Toxicity
Mildly toxic – ingestion of berries may cause vomiting or diarrhea in cats or dogs.
Active Compounds
Saponins and tannins.
Quality Issue
Mostly flower