Mongolian viburnum, Mongolian whiterod
Viburnum mongolicum

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1.8-2.4 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 6 cm long and have teeth along the edge. The leaves are downy underneath. The flowers are white and in small flat open heads. The fruit are red berries. They are in clusters. They become black as they ripen.

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

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to arid regions of north China. It grows on hillsides between 1,800-3,200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia

How it is used for food

The mature fruit are eaten. The leaves and flowers are used for tea. They are spread in the sun and stacked up at night then repeated for 2 days. They are then roasted and stirred in water until it becomes red, then removed and the tea drunk.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, flowers, tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chair

Synonyms

Lonicera mongolica Pall.; Viburnum davuricum Pall.;