ExplorePlants

Wayfaring-tree

Viburnum lantana

The Wayfaring-tree is a lovely shrub with beautiful white flowers that turn into bright red berries. It grows in many places and is great for birds who love to eat its fruit!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Wayfaring-tree has distinctive grey-green leaves, covered in soft, felt-like hairs, especially underneath. It produces flat-topped clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring, followed by berries that change from green to bright red, then eventually shiny black.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyViburnaceaeGenusViburnum
Wayfaring-tree
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshrub trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Wayfaring-tree

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its strong, flexible branches were once used by people to make ropes!

Look closely! Its soft leaves are covered in tiny, star-shaped hairs!

The plant's old English name means "traveler's tree" as it grew along ancient paths!

Unlike most trees, its winter buds are 'naked' – they have no protective scales!

Special abilities

Ability

Berry Beacon

Wayfaring-tree's berries change from green to red, then shiny black, acting as a visual signal to birds that they are ripe and ready to eat.

Ability

Wind Whistler

Wayfaring-tree has tough, flexible branches that allow it to bend and sway with strong winds without breaking.

Measurements & details

Height
200-500 cm
Spread
150-400 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Eats the ripe black berries.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits the white flowers for nectar.

eaten by

Brimstone butterfly

Gonepteryx rhamni

Its caterpillars feed on the leaves.

shelters

Great Tit

Parus major

Nests in its dense branches.

Traits

Also known as

Wayfaring Tree

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

While the berries are fun to look at, it's best not to eat them without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Wayfaring-tree?

200-500 cm

How wide does Wayfaring-tree spread?

150-400 cm

How big are the flowers on Wayfaring-tree?

0.5-1 cm

When does Wayfaring-tree bloom?

Spring

Is Wayfaring-tree edible?

No

Is Wayfaring-tree toxic?

Mild

What is Wayfaring-tree's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Wayfaring-tree pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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