How to identify Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana)

How to identify Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana)

Wayfaring tree, also known as Wayfaring-Tree, Schneeball, Wayfaringtree, Wayfaring Viburnum, Wayfaring tree viburnum, Wayfarer, Hoarwithy

Wayfaring tree is distinguished by its vigorous, dense, and suckering shrub habit, typically forming a rounded shape with upright and spreading stems. It often requires pruning to refresh its growth and maintain a visually appealing form. To promote a healthy fruit set, more than one individual shrub should be positioned nearby for proper pollination. The lush foliage and potential for dense hedging make wayfaring tree an attractive choice for a variety of garden settings.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Wayfaring tree

Leaves are leathery, dark green/blue-green, tomentose underside with prominent veins, turning purplish-red in fall.

Flowers arranged in flat-topped cymes, creamy white blooms with 5 petals and stamens.

Fruit undergoes color transformation from green to black, small and firm texture in dense clusters.

Stem is gray-brown, slightly fuzzy with fine hairs, thick and symmetrical branching pattern.

Trunk bark evolves from smooth to scaly with age, moderate thickness, ranging 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 meters) in height.

Detailed Traits of Wayfaring tree

Leaf Features

The leaves of wayfaring tree are leathery, dull dark green to blue-green, measuring 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) long. They are tomentose on the undersides with a quilted appearance; veins are sunken on the upper side and prominent underneath. The base ranges from cordate to rounded, and the apex is acute and pointed. In fall, the leaves turn a purplish-red, adding a striking color change to the plant's appearance.

Leaf Shape

Ovate

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

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Flower Features

The flowers of wayfaring tree are arranged in 3-5 inch (7.6-12.7 cm) wide flat-topped cymes with creamy white blooms. Each flower features 5 petals and 5 stamens, with whitish filaments and yellow anthers. The flower stems are adorned with fine white hairs. Blooming in May, these flowers exhibit a delicate yet distinct character, crucial for identifying wayfaring tree.

Inflorescence Type

Cymes

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Stem Features

The stem of wayfaring tree is characterized by its gray-brown color and fine hairs that give it a slightly fuzzy texture. It is moderately thick, with an average diameter of about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). The stems are sturdy and branch in an opposite pattern, providing a symmetrical appearance. The twigs are smooth and hair-covered, while the leaf buds lack protective scales, distinguishing this plant from others with scaly bud structures.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of wayfaring tree undergoes a striking color transformation throughout its development. Initially, they are a vibrant green, progressing to shades of red, red-orange, or red-yellow by mid-summer. As the season advances towards late August and early September, the fruit matures into a deep black. These drupes are typically found in dense, flat-topped clusters. Each berry-like fruit is small and maintains a firm texture until fully ripe. Their size and clustered arrangement render them quite noticeable against the foliage.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Wayfaring tree and Their Similar Plants

American Cranberry Bush vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

The guelder-rose (*Viburnum opulus*) is a large deciduous shrub famous for its bushy appearance, snowball-shaped flowers, and clusters of bright red berries. Its fruits are very acidic, so they are usually relegated to jams. Due to the low toxicity of the fruit, large amounts of consumption may cause discomfort. The guelder-rose is one of american Cranberry Bush's national symbols and the main theme of the famous Russian song "Kalinka".

Laurustinus vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Laurustinus (*Viburnum tinus*) is a flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and it often adorns winter gardens. When little else is growing during cold days of winter, laurustinus produces numerous clusters of tiny white flowers.

Japanese snowball vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Japanese snowball is a popular deciduous ornamental shrub that can grow up to heights of 3 m tall. The japanese snowball blooms in the spring with clumps of white flowers that resemble snowballs and provides attractive foliage throughout the summer and fall.

Sweet viburnum vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Sweet viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum) is a small tree that is native to Asia, but widely cultivated throughout the globe as an ornamental tree in gardens. This species is considered easy to grow in warm climates but will become damaged in frosty, cold climates.

Arrowwood viburnum vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Arrowwood viburnum (*Viburnum dentatum*) is a small perennial woody shrub native to the eastern United States and Canada. This shrub is not typically used for ornamental purposes aside from shrub hedges. It has the potential to attract songbirds and white flies.

Leatherleaf viburnum vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) is an Asian native flowering plant. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant that is especially popular for shade gardens because It can grow in deep shade.

Koreanspice viburnum vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

Fragrant pink buds that turn to white blooms are the hallmark of the koreanspice viburnum, a member of the elderberry family. Also known as the Viburnum carlesii, this deciduous shrub is hardy in grow zones four through seven. Essentially rabbit proof, the koreanspice viburnum is attractive to butterflies and caterpillars and produces beautiful fall foliage. Only female bushes will produce berries.

Nannyberry vs. Wayfaring tree: What's The Difference?

This large bush, the nannyberry, is known for its lush green foliage which turns red in the fall. It grows interesting, uniquely flavored edible berry which looks a bit wrinkled when ripe. The nannyberry, or Viburnum lentago is sometimes called the sheepberry because its berries are said to have the fragrance of wet sheep’s wool when overripe.

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Key Facts About Wayfaring tree

Attributes of Wayfaring tree

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Flower Size

6 mm to 8 mm

Flower Color

White

Cream

Fruit Color

Red

Black

Stem Color

Silver

Gray

Green

White

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Wayfaring tree

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Wayfaring tree

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Moschatel

Genus

Viburnum

Species

Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana)

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Distribution Map of Wayfaring tree

Wayfaring tree is native to southern and western Europe and the Mediterranean, where its native habitat is woodland edges. It has been introduced in northern Europe, Russia, and North America and is often used in hedges. It is listed as an invasive species in New Jersey. Its flowers and berries make it popular for cultivation as an ornamental plant.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Wayfaring tree How to Grow and Care for Wayfaring tree