Oval-leaf viburnum is a shrub with numerous erect branches from 1-3 meters high. The herbage of the petioles is covered with spreading coarse hairs and often with short raised glands. The leaves are palmately veined from the base with 3-5 main veins. The margins are coarsely and bluntly toothed but not lobed . Individual leaves range from 3-8 cm long and are about equally wide. The leaves vary from elliptic to subrotund and are sometimes subdordate at the base. The upper leaf surface is a shiny dark green (As viewed above.) while the ventral surface of the leaf is covered with short stiff or coarse hairs.
The inflorescence is a terminal cluster of small white flowers with the inflorescence measuring from 2.5-5 cm across. Individual flowers are five-lobed and measure 5-9 mm across with the stamens exserted from the mouth of the flower. The fruits are ellipsoid in shape, red in color and measure from 1-1.6 cm long. Each fruit contains a large, flattened stone.
Oval-leaf viburnum may be found in open woods, thickets and bottomlands.
Oval-leaf viburnum may be found from southern Washington south to northern California. It is found west of the Cascade summit.
