Viburnaceae

Deciduous shrubs or small trees, sometimes with a heavy rank odour to leaves, flowers and/or fruit. Leaves opposite, simple, lobed or compound, on stalks; compound leaves have one leaflet at the tip and pairs of leaflets along the central stalk (pinnate); leaves often becoming very colourful in the fall; edges toothed.

Flowers numerous, white to pink, in compound cymes at the top of stems and branches. Most flowers producing both pollen and seeds but outer flowers sometimes enlarged and not producing either pollen or seeds. Flowers radially symmetrical. Sepals 5, fused at base, with or without separate lobes at top. Petals 5, fused at base into the shape of a bell or plate, with separate lobes at top. Stamens 5, separate, their stalks attached to the petals. Carpels 2-5, fused to form 1 pistil; ovary located below point of attachment of other flower parts (inferior), with 3-5 chambers; style 1 or none; stigmas 1-3. Fruit are stonefruits with 1 or 3 seed-like pits.