Viburnum cotinifolium

D. Don

Adoxaceae Edible: Fruit 50 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Viburnum cotinifolium, the Indian wayfaring tree, is a species of flowering plant in the family Viburnaceae. It is a deciduous shrub native to the Himalayan region. Its fruit is regularly consumed by Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus).

Description

A large deciduous shrub. The stems are 2-3 m long. The young shoots and underneath the leaves are covered with white, woolly, star-shaped hairs. The leaves are 5-12 cm long and rounded. They can have blunt teeth. The flowers are in domed clusters at the top of the plant. They are white with a tinge of pink. The flower clusters can be 5-10 cm across. The flowers are 8 mm across. The fruit are red and turn black when ripe. They are 8-13 mm across. They are edible. They have one seed.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and has a sweetish flavour. Each ovoid fruit is about 12mm long and contains a single large seed.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. Garhwal Himalayas. In the Himalayas it grows between 1,800-3,600 m altitude. It grows in forest and shrub. It grows in open sunny places. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Tasmania, Tibet,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations. It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring. Hardy to about -15°c. 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. Closely allied to V. lantana, but not as hardy as that species.

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

The wood is hard and close grained.

Other Information

They are only eaten in small amounts except during times of famine.

Notes

There are about 150 Viburnum species. Also put in the family Caprifoliaceae.

Synonyms

Viburnum polycarpum (Wall. ex DC.)

Also Known As

Aoon, Aoza, Baklo pate, Bankunch, Banr guch, Bansura, Bathor, Bhutool, Chamayarddi, Gabian, Ghatmila, Ghenu, Ghinwa, Guch, Guya, Gwia, Jiawa, Ka-kaboot, Katonde, Khimor, Khom pang, Kilmich, Marghwalawa, Nakar, Papat kalam, Rajab, Richh uklu, Richhabi, Sussu, Taliana, Thorayi, Tilhanj, Tit mulya, Tumma, Tustus

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