Viburnum corylifolium
Hook. f. & Thomson
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Summary
A deciduous shrub reaching 3 m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers appear in June and attract insect pollinators. Not self-fertile. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across a range of pH levels from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Grows in semi-shade woodland conditions or full sun, preferring consistently moist soil.
Description
A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 2 m tall. The bark is light brown. The leaves are opposite and 4-6 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. There are yellowish-brown hairs underneath. The flowers are in flat topped groups at the ends of the branches. They are white. The fruit ripens to red and it oval. It is 8 mm long by 6 mm wide.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Each ovoid fruit is about 8mm long and contains a single large seed.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten raw.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests and scrub at about 2,100 m above sea level in China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Tibet,
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations. It dislikes chalky soils. Prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring. 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.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes exceeding 18 months. Seed harvested green — fully developed but not yet fully ripe — and sown immediately in a cold frame should germinate the following spring. Stored seed needs 2 months of warm stratification followed by 3 months cold, and may still take 18 months to germinate. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in a cold frame or greenhouse, planting out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Take softwood cuttings in early summer in a frame; pot individually once rooting begins and plant out the following late spring or early summer. Take half-ripe cuttings 5–8 cm long with a heel if possible in July or August in a frame; pot individually as soon as rooting starts — these can be difficult to overwinter and are best kept under glass until the following spring before planting out. Take mature wood cuttings in winter in a frame; they should root in early spring — pot when large enough and plant out in summer if sufficient new growth has been made, otherwise overwinter in a cold frame and plant out the following spring. Layer current season's growth in July or August; takes 15 months.
Other Uses
None known
Notes
There are about 150 Viburnum species. Also put in the family Caprifoliaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Dieng-soh-lang-som, Sohlang, So-lang-ksew
References (6)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 673
- J. Proc. Linn. Soc. 2:174. 1858
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Singh, H.B., Arora R.K.,1978, Wild edible Plants of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 73
- Singh, V. B., et al, (Ed.) Horticulture for Sustainable Income and Environmental Protection. Vol. 1 p 220
Show all 6 references Hide references
- Wild edible plants of Himachal Pradesh
