Common Name: Mooseberry

General Information

Viburnum edule is a straggling to erect, deciduous shrub growing around 1.5 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of material for basket making

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it is closely related to V. opulus, the raw fruit of which can cause nausea in some people if it is eaten in large quantities, although the cooked fruit is perfectly alright[, ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - Alaska to Newfoundland, south to Oregon, South Dakota and New Hampsire

Habitat

Woods, thickets and cool mountain slopes[]. A dominant or co-dominant understorey species in open or closed coniferous forests and deciduous forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[]. It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acidic soil[]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[].
Plants take around 5 years from seed to begin producing seed and then soon start to bear good crops annually[].
Plants can resprout from near the base if the top is killed by fire[].
Plants are possibly self-incompatible[] and may need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed[, ].
Closely allied to Viburnum opulus, but this species has no sterile flowers in the inflorescence and is a superior fruiting form[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. The fully ripe fruits are mildly acid with a pleasant taste[]. The ovoid fruit is about 8mm long and contains a single large seed[]. The fruit can also be dried for winter use[]. It is highly valued for jam[]. It is best before a frost and with the skin removed[, ]. Another report says that the native Americans would often not harvest the fruit until it had been frosted[].
Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Flowers - used in fritters[].

Medicinal

The bark is antispasmodic and astringent[, ]. An infusion of the crushed inner bark has been used in the treatment of dysentery and has also been used as a purgative[]. The bark has been chewed and the juice swallowed in the treatment of whooping cough and 'cold on the lungs'[].

A decoction of the stems has been used in the treatment of coughs[].

An infusion of the leaves and stems has been used as a gargle in the treatment of sore throats[].

The twig tips have been chewed and the juice swallowed in the treatment of sore throats[].

A poultice of the chewed, unopened flower buds has been applied to lip sores[].

A decoction of the roots has been used to treat sickness associated with teething[].

Other Uses

The stems have been used to reinforce birch bark basket rims[].

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[]. They root easily and quickly in a sandy medium[]. 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[].