Moosewood Viburnum lantanoides
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Moosewood:
Previously known as:
- Viburnum alnifolium
- Viburnum grandifolium
- Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num al-nih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Hobblebush is a native viburnum shrub that grows south to zone 6 with an open, sometimes straggly habit. The pendulous stems that touch the ground develop roots that can trip or hobble a walker- hence the common name. It is found in the mountains of NC.
Hobblebush prefers moist, rich woods, stream banks and swamps and moist, gravelly or sandy, acid loams. Hobblebush will develop thickets in its native habitat. This shrub would best be used in naturalized settings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- lantanoides
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Algonquin reportedly rubbed its mashed leaves on the head to treat migraines. Iroquois are said to have used a decoction of roots as a blood medicine. The plant was also used to treat chest and breathing problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- CT , GA , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Larval host for the Spring Azure. Gamebirds, songbirds and mammals eat fruit, browsers eat twigs and leaves
- Edibility:
- Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Open
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/3 inch long red drupes maturing to purple in late summer.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3 to 5 in. flat cyme of white flowers with a lacy effect in early summer. The individual flowers on the outer edge of each cluster are much larger than those in the middle. The smaller center blooms are fertile.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4-8 inch long slightly heart-shaped leaves are opposite, simple, broad-ovate, in widely spaced pairs, irregularly serrate, tip short acuminate, base cordate, stellate pubescence on both sides, eventually becoming glabrous, but may retain hairs on the veins below. Nice fall color of bronze-red to purple.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is initially gray-brown and warty, later splitting into shallow ridges and furrows.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Description:
- Brownish-green stems with light lenticels. The opposite buds are naked and covered with tan, scruffy pubescent that extends down the twig. Pendulous branches often fall over and root where they touch the ground.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
