Photo Courtesy of Michael Dirr

A large multi-stemmed, rounded shrub growing 8-12' tall and wide, native to the central and southern states of North America.  Based on leaf ID only, it would be mistaken for V. dentatum.  The plant is adorned with glossy, dark green summer foliage and is found growing in calcareous soils.  White flower clusters in early June are borne on long stalked 2-3½" cymes followed by flattened, bluish-black fruits.  Fall foliage is red to reddish-purple.  Similar to V. dentatum with the major differences being the leaves are wider and it has a gray to brown exfoliating bark exposing a shiny brown inner bark for winter interest, much like that of Acer griseum (paperbark maple).  Found naturally growing from Pennsylvania to Arkansas and Missouri.  Zone 5