Buds and Snow White Flowers

From mid-April through mid-May the Blackhaws, Viburnum prunifolium, are in bud and bloom up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The Blackhaw is a shrub or small tree that gets its name from the inky black of the fruit, that develops during the summer, and ripens in the fall.

Fruit or Drupe

The floral display turns to fruit in June.  This fruit, which, seems to me would be called a berry, is actually called a drupe.  They start out apple green and oblong.

Blushing

As the summer days pass, the apple green gains a blush of dark pink and then crimson as the sun shines on the drupes.

Overnight Changes

Each day as I hike the mountain, as summer turns to autumn, I see changes.  I’m surprised at how quickly one little drupe will turn from its crimson red to inky black.  It just takes one night and presto! there is another one, blue-black and ripe.

Preserves And Wine

There are sites on the internet that mention Blackhaw preserves and wine.  Sure would take a large amount of these drupes to make anything at all.  Though tasty, they are mostly a single, large seed.  Birds and wildlife enjoy eating the Blackhaw fruit.  I think I will leave the drupes for them!