Common Name: Withe Rod

General Information

Viburnum cassinoides is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub of dense, rounded form, sometimes becoming a small tree in its native habitat; it can grow up to 2.5 metres tall in cultivation, perhaps to 5 metres in the wild[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Newfoundland, south to Alabama and Georgia

Habitat

Thickets, clearings, swamps and borders of woods[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[]. It dislikes chalk, growing best on lime-free soils[, ]. Prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in the spring[].
This species is closely allied to Viburnum nudum, differing in having dull green leaves and very scurfy young shoots, leaf-stalks, and flower-stalks, and a short-stalked inflorescence[].
Plants are self-incompatible and need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fertile seed[, ].
There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value[]. 'Nanum' has a dwarf habit and the leaves have a rich autumn colouring[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. The scant flesh is sweet and well flavoured, hanging on the plant well into the winter[]. The blue-black, oval fruit is about 10mm long and contains a single large seed[, , ].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[, ]. A pleasant taste[]. The leaves are steamed over boiling water, rolled between the fingers, allowed to stand overnight and then dried in an oven to be used as required[].

Medicinal

The bark and root bark are antispasmodic, diaphoretic, febrifuge and tonic[]. An infusion has been used to treat recurrent spasms, fevers, smallpox and ague[].
The infusion has been used externally as a wash for a sore tongue[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, mid summer in a frame[, ]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[].
Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring.
Layering of current seasons growth in mid summer. Takes 15 months[].