Deer River

I spent several hours on May 30, in an aspen stand just southeast of Deer River. I saw an amazing variety of plant species, including three species of Viburnum: high-bush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum), nannyberry (Vibernum lentago), and arrowwood (Viburnum rafinesquianum). That is an interesting genus. The fruit of all three species are eaten by birds.

Arrowwood had buds, getting ready to bloom. I've been on the North Country Trail when the arrowwood is blooming. The blossoms smell like rotten meat. They must be pollinated by flies seeking carrion.

High-bush cranberry produces a head of small flowers that are surrounded by larger showy flowers around the perimeter. The larger flowers are sterile and just serve as attractors. People favor the high-bush cranberry for jellies and wines. The fruit keeps on the bush well into the winter. Drug companies purchase the bark for its anti-cramping qualities. The bushes don't seem to sprout well from the stump, so if you harvest it for its bark, leave some buds on the plant so it can continue growing.

I think nannyberry could often be mistaken for pincherry or chokecherry. The leaves have a similar shape. If you notice that the leaves are opposite, you realize it can't be in the Prunus genus. After it sets buds, it is more distinctive. It has a bud that is spherical near the base, but then is drawn out into a long spire. It reminds me of the ornament my parents put on the top of the Christmas tree.