Wayfaring tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wayfaring tree |
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| Foliage and immature fruit | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Viburnum
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| Species: |
lantana
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| Synonyms | |
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List
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Viburnum lantana, also known as the wayfarer or wayfaring tree, is a type of shrub or small tree. It grows naturally in parts of Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia. You often see this strong plant growing along roadsides, which is why it's called the "wayfaring tree"! It loses its leaves in the autumn, just like many trees do.
About the Wayfaring Tree
The wayfaring tree is a deciduous shrub or a small tree. This means it loses its leaves every year, usually in autumn. It can grow to be about 4 to 5 meters (around 13 to 16 feet) tall.
Its leaves grow opposite each other on the stem. They are shaped like an oval or a spear, about 6 to 13 centimeters (2.4 to 5.1 inches) long and 4 to 9 centimeters (1.6 to 3.5 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are finely serrated, like tiny saw teeth. The underside of the leaves feels very soft and fuzzy, while the top surface is less so.
The flowers of the wayfaring tree are small, about 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) across. They are creamy-white and grow in tight bunches called cymes at the top of the stems. These bunches can be 4 to 10 centimeters (1.6 to 3.9 inches) wide. The flowers bloom in early summer. Insects help the flowers make seeds by carrying pollen from one flower to another.
The fruit is a small, oval-shaped berry called a drupe. It is about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) long. At first, the fruit is green, then it turns red, and finally, it becomes black when it is fully ripe. Each fruit holds a single seed. birds love to eat these fruits. When they do, they help spread the seeds to new places through their droppings.
An older name for this plant is hoarwithy. The word "hoar" means grey-haired, which describes the fuzzy hairs under the leaves. "withy" means a flexible stem, like the branches of this plant.
Growing and Using the Wayfaring Tree
People often grow the wayfaring tree in their gardens because of its pretty flowers and colorful berries. It grows best in soils that are a bit alkaline, meaning they are not too acidic. There are also special types of this plant, called cultivars, that have been chosen for unique features. For example, one type called 'Aureum' has yellow leaves in the spring.
The fruit of the wayfaring tree is generally safe to eat in small amounts when ripe. However, if you eat a lot of unripe fruit, it might cause an upset stomach. It's always best to be careful and not eat wild berries unless you are sure they are safe.
