Viburnum opulus has simple, lobed, opposite leaves. Flowers are of two different types, combined in a broad conspicuous inflorescence. The fruit is a bright red, juicy berry. The red or green buds are appressed to the twig, and only one outer bud scale is conspicuous. At the junction between the petiole and leaf blade there are usually two or more glands.

Viburnum opulus as currently defined is wide-ranging in North America and in Eurasia. The native American plants have been designated as var. americanum, but some authors have separated those plants as a separate species, Viburnum trilobum Marshall.