Great as a gift 🌸
Black Haw
Viburnum lentago · Viburnaceae
How it looks
Black haw is a deciduous shrub with serrated, oval leaves arranged opposite one another. In spring, small white five-petaled flowers bloom in flat, umbrella-shaped clusters. In autumn, small round black-to-purplish fruits hang in clusters. Height 10–20 ft (3–6 m).
Black Haw is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
One note on species first. This page rests on the ASPCA verdict for nannyberry (Viburnum lentago). Other viburnums sold under the same broad name, such as Viburnum dilatatum, are different species in the genus; the list covers V. lentago alone, so no cat-specific verdict exists for them.
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day.
If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well.
If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Viburnum lentago
- Common name
- Black Haw
- Family
- Viburnaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Related plants
Other safe flowers
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