Viburnum lantanoides aka Hobblebush

Viburnum lantanoides, or hobblebush, is a shrub that sheds its leaves. It is part of the Viburnaceae family. It is native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States. It grows in moist woods, shaded ravines, and mountain forests. In North Carolina, it grows in the mountains. People also call it moosewood or American wayfaring tree.

Garden sources give heights of 3–10 feet [0.9–3.05 metres]. Oregon State gives a taller range, up to 12 feet [3.66 metres]. Its spread reaches 6–12 feet [1.83–3.66 metres]. The shrub has an open shape with loose, drooping branches. These can root where they touch the soil. They form thickets that can trip people who walk through them. Young bark has small bumps and a gray-brown color. Older bark has shallow grooves and raised ridges. Brown-green twigs have pale lenticels, or small pores. Tan hairs cover the buds.

The broad leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. Each leaf has a heart-shaped base and uneven teeth. Leaves measure 4–8 inches long. Young leaves have star-shaped hairs, but lose most with age. Fall colors range from bronze and red to purple. White flowers form flat clusters called cymes in early summer. Each cluster measures 3–5 inches across. Large flowers that cannot set fruit ring the center. The smaller blooms in the center can set fruit. The fruits, called drupes, start red and turn purple or black. They ripen in late summer and hold one large seed.

Hobblebush grows best in shade or filtered light and rich, moist soil. It likes deep acid loam that drains well. This keeps the soil from staying soaked for too long. Poor, dry soil does not suit it. PFAF also warns against alkaline soil. It warns against nearby plants that compete with the shrub. Sources place it in USDA zones 3–6. PFAF reports that it can bear cold down to about −30°C. To set fruit, it needs another plant of the same species. That plant must have different genes. Its loose form suits woodland gardens, hedges, and areas left to grow wild. Bees visit the flowers, and Spring Azure larvae use the plant. Birds and mammals eat its fruit. Animals that browse eat its leaves and twigs.

NC State lists it as deer resistant and flags purple mite. The supplied sources give no details on specific diseases. People can eat the fruit fresh or cook it. Its sweet flesh is thin around the large seed. PFAF says frost improves its taste and lists no known hazards. Past records describe leaf poultices, or packs, used for headaches. They also describe preparations made from the roots. These are records of past uses, not proof that treatments work.