Forums HomeGrown Herbalist Student Forum Plant Identification Cramp Bark (Viburnum plicatum vs. Viburnum carlcephalum vs.

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    • #28289
      Natalie Stamenov
      Student

        I purchased what I thought was Viburnum opulus. It gives that Botanical name but then it has its description on my order as SNOWBALL OLD FASHION JAPANESE which sounds very similar to the Viburnum plicatum which I read is also invasive. I am guess in certain areas it is invasive.  But my question is do all these varieties of Viburnum listed in the Title have the same medicinal benefits?

        Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

      • #30417
        Jackie Tomberlin
        Student

          The opulus is invasive in my area, which I am assuming is why I haven’t been able to locate it.  I have found several other types but haven’t been able to determine their medicinal properties.  Following along to wait for a response to your question.  Sorry, I am of no use…

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          • #31145
            Natalie Stamenov
            Student
            Topic Author

              Strictly Medicinal offers the Viburnum Opulus but they are currently out of stock. I have been on the wait list for a while. I am thinking they will not have any to send out until the fall when they harvest more. Through the information I have been able to find it does not look like the variety I have has any medicinal components. It’s very unfortunate. Where are you located that it is the Viburnum Opulus is invasive?

              Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

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              • #40202
                Tori Codona
                Student

                  I am glad to know that Strictly Medicinal offers this.  I will watch their site in the fall.  Thanks for the info.

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                  • #40205
                    Natalie Stamenov
                    Student
                    Topic Author

                      You might go look on their site now! They emailed me that it came available and I ordered it and received it. Just waiting for our weather to cool off and get a watering system in before planting.

                      Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

                  • #49886
                    Susie Saunders
                    Student

                      I too am struggling with what I purchased as Viburnum opulus. It had the right name and photo on it but I expected the flower to be a “snowball” (sterile flower) type and it is flat with berries. The garden center said it was mismarked at the growers but offered nothing else for identification…I have been going through my Sunset Garden book and reading all the descriptions of the various types. I hope to identify mine based on all the plant growth, evergreen, deciduous, leaf, berry and flower types from the start of this year since there are loads of descriptions. I hope you’ll check out the descriptions for yours too and let us know if you’re successful sorting it out.

                      • #56762
                        Natalie Stamenov
                        Student
                        Topic Author

                          I am so sorry to be replying JUST NOW!! Life has been busy. I did determine the ones they sent me were incorrect. I emailed them and they refunded me. I ended up going through Strictly Medicinal to get the correct variety. They usually have it in stock around this time. If not you can get on their waitlist. I also noticed someone else posted another site below that offers the correct variety. Hope you have been able to find a solution. Happy Growing!!

                          Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

                      • #49888
                        Jodie Masella
                        Student

                          I just got on their wishlist and ordered a catalog. Great info. Thank you!

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                          • #49896
                            Natalie Stamenov
                            Student
                            Topic Author

                              They very well could get some stock in late spring for you! Mine came in July. I live in Texas so July was WAY TOO HOT to plant anything and expect it to survive. Planted it in the fall and hoping to see it come to life this spring.

                              Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

                      • #32524
                        Dr. Patrick Jones
                        Homestead Instructor

                          I’d stick with Viburnum opulus.  Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) is similar but the other species in the genus just don’t have the research or historical use to make me willing to substitute them.

                          Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

                        • #43629
                          Diana Braun
                          Student

                            I was looking everywhere for viburnum opulus. The nursery gave me viburnum opulus trilobum. I hope it’s the same… 😀

                            They looked it up in their book and said it was the same.

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                            • #44942
                              Dr. Patrick Jones
                              Homestead Instructor

                                trilobum is just a variant. It’s the right species.

                                Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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                                • #54474
                                  Sandra Gay
                                  Student

                                    Dr. Jones, I purchased two Snowball bushes this year thinking they were the correct species.  The tag on them said Old Fashioned Snowball but the picture it app says it is a Chinese Snowball, Viburnum Macrocephalum.  Is this the correct species for Cramp Bark?  If not the correct species, can you give me the name so I can make sure I purchase the correct plants this time?  There are numerous Snowball Bush varieties.

                                    • #54475
                                      Greg Boggs
                                      Student

                                        Viburnum Opulus is the species we go over in the school for Cramp Bark. I would be interested to see if that species of Viburnum that you got would have the same medicinal properties though

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                                      • #56764
                                        Natalie Stamenov
                                        Student
                                        Topic Author

                                          Viburnum Opulus is the only species

                                          I’d stick with Viburnum opulus.  Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) is similar but the other species in the genus just don’t have the research or historical use to make me willing to substitute them.

                                          As Dr. Jones says above Viburnum Opulus is the only species that has the research and historical use behind it. You can find the correct variety at Strictly Medicinal or there is a site below from a fellow herbal gardener which also offers the correct variety. Hope you are able to get the correct plants. I also had issues with ordering what was labeled with the correct scientific name but when it arrived was incorrect.

                                          Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

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                                    • #45300
                                      Jean
                                      Student

                                        I looked viburnum opulus tonight and it ended up being viburnum opulus var. americanum formally known as v. trilobum “High bush cranberry” (not to be confused with low bush cranberries)  it grows everywhere here!  And there I was, this past Wednesday, asking at a health food store for “cramp bark”  (To which they replied: That supplier will no longer be carrying “plain” cramp bark! The store attendant said maybe its on the endangered species list.  To which I replied, no, it cannot be on the endangered species list!  The store only had bottles with combinations. IE: Cramp bark with (fill in the blank)  One of the issues with this mentality is that pregnant and/or lactating women would not be able to use the combination tinctures internally. If my memory serves me correctly (from this course) Cramp bark is one antispasmodic that pregnant and or lactating women are allowed to use safely.  I personally wanted it for topical use for facial muscle spasm’s as I was on my way to a dental appointment. (I brought an old  bottle of what I thought was black cohosh along just in case, as I think that black cohosh can be used in the same way as cramp bark)  I just looked at the ingredients list in the black cohosh – – –  it has a whole slew of ingredients in it,  one of them being “hops!” (Yay!) This product was made to be taken orally, but because of its age, I was experimenting with it topically.  Seems to be working somewhat!

                                    • #50817
                                      Anniek De Baets
                                      Student

                                        I’d stick with Viburnum opulus.  Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) is similar but the other species in the genus just don’t have the research or historical use to make me willing to substitute them.

                                        Dear Doc Jones,

                                        After consulting a local botanical in Belgium we are still left with some confusion about the Crampbark. The latin name gets translated in ecopedia to Dutch as “gelderse roos” which has red berries but does not look at all like the crampbark you showed during the virtual plant walk and which I thought to be Viburnum opulus roseum. This is what we understand as ‘snowball tree’ and is an ornamental tree which my mother has in her garden (in Belgium). Is there any way you can help us, Please? Thank you

                                      • #50826
                                        Jean
                                        Student

                                          Guelder Rose was listed as the same thing as cramp bark in an online description of cramp bark.  (Native to Europe)  Hope this helps a little bit.  Just researching for my own educational purposes and thought I would share.

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                                        • #50827
                                          Jean
                                          Student

                                            https://fedcoseeds.com/trees/highbush-cranberry-seedling-viburnum-536

                                            I do not know if this helps any and if I should not be posting this, please remove.

                                             

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                                            • #56763
                                              Natalie Stamenov
                                              Student
                                              Topic Author

                                                Thanks for this site! I am going to put them in my bookmarks to reference when looking for specific herbs/plants that are harder to find.

                                                Health is a lifetime study ~Natalie

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