Mealytree (Viburnum lantana, Sp. Pl.: 268 (1753))

Family: Viburnaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 268 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Viburnum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran, NW. Africa

Description

The Mealytree, scientifically known as Viburnum lantana, is a distinguished member of the Viburnaceae family. First described in 1753 by the well-regarded botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum”, this shrub has garnered attention for its resilience and aesthetic appeal.

Geographically, the Mealytree flourishes across a diverse range, spanning from Europe through to Iran, and extending to the northwestern regions of Africa. This wide distribution illustrates the plant’s adaptability to varying climates and altitudes. Typically found in woodland borders, scrublands, and hedgerows, Viburnum lantana thrives in well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types, making it a versatile choice for various landscape designs.

Characterized by its dense, bushy structure, the Mealytree can grow up to 3-5 meters in height. The leaves are oval-shaped, with a slightly wrinkled texture and serrated edges, providing a lush green backdrop for its striking flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the Mealytree’s inflorescences consist of creamy-white flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters. These blossoms not only add a touch of elegance to gardens but also attract a myriad of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thus supporting local biodiversity.

As the flowering season draws to a close, the Mealytree produces clusters of small drupes that transition through colors from green to red, and finally to a deep black as they ripen in late summer and autumn. These berries are not only visually appealing but also serve as a food source for birds, further emphasizing the plant’s ecological value.

In addition to its ornamental and ecological benefits, Viburnum lantana has been utilized in traditional medicine. Its leaves and bark have been used historically to treat various ailments, leveraging the plant’s natural compounds for therapeutic purposes.

In summary, the Mealytree (Viburnum lantana) stands out as a versatile and beneficial plant. Its robust nature, coupled with its attractive flowers and berries, makes it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers. Moreover, its role in supporting wildlife and its historical medicinal uses add layers of value to this remarkable species.

Common Names

Eng: mealytree, twistwood, wayfaring tree, wayfaring-tree, wayfaringtree, wayfaring viburnum, bending wayfaring tree, waygfaring-tree
Dan: pibe-kvalkved
Lit: sodinis putinas
Deu: wolliger schneeball
Nob: filtkorsved
Nno: filtkrossved
Swe: parkolvon, villaheisi
Fin: villaheisi
Lav: vilnain
Fra: viorne mancienne
Nld: wollige sneeuwbal
Cym: gwifwrnwydd, gwifwrnwydd blawdog, gwifwrnwydden
Gla: craobh fhiáin
Tur: tuylu kartopu
Kat: უზანი
En: Mealytree, Wayfaring-tree, Twistwood, Schneeball, Wolliger Schneeball, Wayfaringtree, Bending wayfaring tree, Mealy guelder rose, Wayfarer, Wayfaring viburnum, Wayfaring tree, Waygfaring-tree, Cottonner, Pliant Tree
Ar: رباطية صوفية
An: Chinchilaina, Pitixaina, Tintilaina, Vetelaina
Hy: Գերիմաստի
Az: Lantana başınağacı
Eu: Marmaratilla
Be: Каліна чорная
Bg: Черна калина
Ca: Tortellatge, Cartellatge
Zh: 黑果绣球
Kw: Gwinwydh
Cs: Kalina tušalaj
Da: Pibe-Kvalkved
Nl: Wollige Sneeuwbal
Eo: Lentano-viburno
Et: Villane lodjapuu
Fi: Villaheisi
Fr: Viorne lantane, Viorne mancienne, Cochène, Lantane, Mancienne, Atatier, Auborne, Barbaris, Bardeau, Crève-chien, Mancine, Mantiane, Valinier, Viorne cotonneuse, Viorne flexible
Ka: Უზანი
De: Flaumhaarige Schlinge, Schlinge, Wollige Schlinge, Wolliger Schneeball, Kandelweiche, Schlingstrauch
Hu: Ostorménfa
Ga: Craobh fhiáin
It: Antana, Lentaggine, Metallo, Vavorna, Viborno, Viburno lantana, Viorna, Lantana
Kk: Beti qışıq, Беті қышық, بەتى قىشىق
Lv: Vilnain
Lt: Sodinis putinas
Mk: Црна удика
No: Filtkrossved
Nb: Filtkorsved
Nn: Filtkrossved
Oc: Tatina
Os: Нымæткъуы
Fa: هفت کول, هفت‌کول
Pl: Kalina hordowina
Ru: Калина гордовина
Gd: Craobh fhiáin
Sr: Црна удика
Sk: Kalina siripútková, Siripútka
Es: Morrionera, Dobrovita, Barbadejo, Barbaleña, Barbatijo, Barbatil, Barbatilla, Cabritilla, Carájula, Copos de nieve, Cornahuelo, Cornihuelo, Cuernahuelo, Flor de bandera, Manzana, Manzano, Marmaratilla, Matacana, Matacano, Matacán, Matagente, Mentironera, Morriones, Palo bruja, Pata de gallina, Patagallina, Pierno, Revienta gallinas, Uvas de perro, Vetilaina, Viburno común, Viburno, Vitilaina
Sv: Parkolvon, Villaheisi
Zh-tw: 黑果綉球
Tr: Tüylü kartopu, Tuylu kartopu
Uk: Калина гордовина
Cy: Gwifwrnwydden, Gwifwrnwydd, Gwifwrnwydd Blawdog

Synonyms

• Viburnum lentum (St.-Lag.)
• Viburnum aragonense (Pau)
• Viburnum maculatum (Pant.)
• Viburnum lantana var. discolor (Huter)
• Viburnum lantana var. rugosum (Lange)
• Viburnum lantana versicolor (J.R.Duncan & V.C.Davies)
• Viburnum lantana f. variegatum ((Weston) Rehder)
• Viburnum lantana var. aureomaculatum (Jacob-Makoy)
• Viburnum lantana var. variegatum (Weston)
• Viburnum lantana var. glabratum (Chabert)
• Viburnum lantana var. europaeum (Aiton)
• Viburnum lantana f. vitosiensis (T.R.Dudley)
• Viburnum farinosum (Stokes)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Nov 6, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2019 by nhfc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Simone Renoldi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Margaux Duchêne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Jean-Francois Dumas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 12, 2018 by Brittny Nicholson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 30, 2021 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2022 by Margaux Duchêne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Adrien Arrous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Johanna Frommberger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by Johanna Frommberger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2020 by Diego Naranjo (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 28, 2021 by Maurizio Dondossola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Ja Cad (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888615)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:326265-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Viburnum lantana L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 4