Viburnum lantana (wayfaring tree)

Viburnum lantana leaves

Leaf type: Ovoid, oval
Phyllotaxis: Opposite
Colour: Green
Life cycle: Deciduous shrub

Leaf (upper side)

Viburnum lantana leaves fall
The leaves of Viburnum lantana in autumn (October).
Viburnum lantana leaves flowerbuds
Leaves and flower buds in spring (March/April).

Leaf (underside)

Viburnum lantana leaves in spring
Undersides of young leaves in spring. Viburnum rhytidophyllum can be seen in the background.

Habitus & biology

Viburnum lantana is a deciduous shrub and can be up to four metres tall. The branches and leaves are covered with fine hairs. All parts of the plant are more or less poisonous (source).

Viburnum lantana habitus

Distribution & habitates

The natural distribution area is in Europe, North Africa and West Asia. Viburnum lantana has also found its way to North America and other regions as an ornamental plant (source).

Wayfaring tree in thicket
The wayfaring tree in a thicket in spring.

Viburnum lantana can be found growing wild in forests and thickets. This shrub is also used as an ornamental plant in parks, gardens and along roads and tolerates sunny to semi-shady locations.

Wayfaring tree by the wayside
The wayfaring tree on a roadside in autumn. Below you can see young ailanthus trees.

Botany

The wayfaring tree or wayfarer is a member of the moschatel family (Adoxaceae).

Viburnum lantana

Petals

Viburnum lantana inflorescence

The umbel-shaped inflorescence consists of many individual flowers, each with five petals. The flowering period in Central Europe can last from April to June.

Viburnum lantana petals
Each flower of Viburnum lantana is framed by five petals. Pollination is done by small beetles and other insects.

(Random) related plants:

Viburnum rhytidophyllum leaves Viburnum rhytidophyllum (leatherleaf viburnum)
Viburnum plicatum leaves Viburnum plicatum (japanese snowball)
Viburnum tinus leaves Viburnum tinus (laurustinus)