Adoxa Family: Adoxaceae

Members of this family in the northeast are woody shrubs with clusters of flowers in branching inflorescences called cymes. The individual flowers have five petals fused at the base. They produce colorful berry-like fruits that are favorites of birds, bears, racoons, and mice. The family used to be included with the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but recent genetic evidence has banished them to their own family. Members include moschatel, elderberry, viburnum, highbush cranberry, black haw, nannyberry, hobblebush, and wild raisin.