Common Name: Wayfaring Tree

General Information

Viburnum lantana is a vigorous, deciduous shrub , sometimes becoming more tree-like with a dense crown; it can grow up to 5 metres tall;11, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

Large quantities of the fruit can cause vomiting and diarrhoea[, ]. The fruit is of very low or zero toxicity, it only causes mild upsets when eaten unripe or in large quantities[].

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Britain to Spain, east to Ukraine and the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Open woodland and woodland edges, especially on calcareous soils[, ]. Along sunny edges and in open woody-shrubbly thickets, mainly in stony and rocky habitats, in mountains in forest belt especially in its upper zones and in subalpine belt[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
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[]. Unlike most members of the genus, this species succeeds on dry soils[]. It prefers a deep rich moist loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ], growing well on chalk and on chalky clays[]. Intolerant of water-logged soils[]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[]. Dislikes atmospheric pollution[].
Plants regenerate well after cutting[].
Useful for planting in tall shrubberies or in thin woodland[].
Tolerates light shade in a woodland[].
The flowers are almost without nectar, but they provide honeybees with a large quantity of pollen[]..
One report says the plant is self-sterile[], another that it is self-fertile[]. It would be wise to grow at least two genetically distinct plants of the same species in order to make sure that fruit and seed is produced.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[]. The oblong fruit is about 8mm long and contains a single large seed[].

Medicinal

The fruits and bark contain tannins and are astringent. A decoction is used for rinsing and gargling in the treatment of sore throat and gingivitis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This plant is a good indicator of limy soils[].

Other Uses

The young stems can be used as a twine[].
The branches are used for weaving baskets and for making hoops[].

A straw-yellow colour is obtained from the leaves when an aluminum mordant is used. It is used to colour fabrics[].

The fruits and bark contain tannins and are used for making ink[].

This species is used as a rootstock for all forms of viburnums that require grafting[].

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[].