Common Name: Tea-Leaf Viburnum

General Information

Viburnum setigerum is an erect, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that can grow up to 4 metres tall[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used to make a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China

Habitat

Forests and scrub; at elevations from 200 - 2,100 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Viburnum setigerum is hardy to about -20°c[].
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[, ]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[].
Any pruning is best caried out in the autumn and should be light in nature if possible[].
Plants are self-incompatible and need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed[, ].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[]. 'Aurantiacum' has bright orange fruit[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour but there is very little flesh[]. The red, ovoid fruit is about 12mm long and contains a single large seed[].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown as an informal 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[].