The member species areevergreen ordeciduousshrubs or (in a few cases) small trees native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a few species extending into tropicalmontane regions in South America and southeast Asia. In Africa, the genus is confined to theAtlas Mountains.
Theleaves areopposite, simple, and entire, with toothed or lobed margins. Cool temperate species aredeciduous, while most of the warm temperate species areevergreen. Some species have densely hairy shoots and leaves covered in star-shaped hairs. Almost all species have stipules on petioles, except tropical species found inMalesia.[6]: 111
Theflowers are produced incorymbs 5–15 cm across. Each flower is white, cream or pink, small (3–5 mm across), and has five petals. Some species are strongly fragrant.[6]: 111 Thegynoecium has three connatecarpels with thenectary located at the top of the gynoecium. Some species also have a fringe of large, showy sterile flowers around the perimeter of the corymb, serving as a pollinator target.
Thefruit is a spherical, oval, or somewhat flatteneddrupe that is red, purple, blue, or black, and contains a singleseed.[6]: 111 Some fruits are edible, but many others are mildlypoisonous. The leaves are eaten by thelarvae of many lepidopteran species.
Many species of viburnum have become popular asgarden orlandscape plants because of their showy flowers and berries, fragrance, and good autumn colour of some forms. Some popular species,hybrids, andcultivars include:[11]
ThehybridViburnum ×bodnantense (V. farreri ×V. grandiflorum) is particularly popular for its strongly scented pink flowers on the leaflessdeciduous shoots in mid- to late winter.
Viburnum carlesii has round white flowerheads, strong fragrance, dense structure, and reddish leaves in autumn.
Viburnum davidii is an evergreen species from China with blue fruit.
Viburnum dentatum has flat-topped flowers, bluish fruit, and reddish leaves in autumn. It is somewhat salt-tolerant. The cultivar 'Blue Muffin' is more compact than the species and has fruit that is a deeper blue than the species.
Viburnum dilatatum has flat-topped flowers, reddish leaves in autumn, and bright red fruit that persist into winter.
Viburnum plicatum has white flowers, textured leaves, reddish-black fruit, and can grow quite large under ideal conditions. The species can tolerate shade, but not drought.
Viburnum × pragense (V. rhytidophyllum ×V. utile)
Viburnum × rhytidophylloides (V. lantana ×V. rhytidophyllum)popular evergreen shrub, drought resistant. Shiny green leaves, white flowers.
Viburnum rhytidophyllum is a popularevergreen species, grown mainly for its foliage effect of large, dark green, leathery leaves with a strongly wrinkled surface. This is the parent species of two popular hybrid cultivars known as 'Alleghany' and 'Pragense'. 'Alleghany' was selected from a hybrid betweenV. rhytidophyllum andV. lantana 'Mohican' (in 1958, at the US National Arboretum).
Viburnum setigerum has upright, coarse structure and orange to reddish-orange fruit.
Viburnum sieboldii has a coarse, open structure, flat-topped flowers, reddish-black fruit, and can grow as a small tree.
Viburnum tinus is a widely grown garden and landscape shrub.
Inprehistory, the long, straight shoots of some viburnums were used forarrow-shafts, as those found withÖtzi the Iceman.
The fruit of some species (e.g.,V. lentago) is edible and can be eaten either raw or for makingjam.[14] In contrast, other species (e.g.,V. opulus) are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting if eaten in quantity.[15]
In Ukraine,Viburnum opulus is an essential element of traditional folk culture, andViburnum opulus (kalyna) is seen as a national symbol and emblem for both theKoliada festivities, as well as representing young girls' love and tenderness. It is a key element of Ukrainian traditional wreaths. Many folk songs are dedicated to the kalyna, as well as a very popular song "Oi u Luzi Chervona Kalina".[citation needed]
The Lithuanian name for the genusViburnum is "Putinas".[16] This was thepen name of Lithuanian poet and writerVincas Mykolaitis.[17] In 2000, the Lithuanian liquor companyAlita released a vodka named Putin Vodka, with a red, white, and blue label, which are the colours of theRussian flag. Sold only in Lithuania at that time, a company spokesperson said that the name had its origin in the tree "putinas", after speculation arose that it was named after Russian presidentVladimir Putin.[18]
^ab"Genus:Viburnum L."Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 3 November 2006. Archived fromthe original on 5 Jun 2011. Retrieved4 November 2010.
^"Viburnum L."Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2025. Retrieved5 November 2025.
