Botanical Name: Viburnum plicatum
Family: Adoxaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Dipsacales
Genus: Viburnum
Species: V. plicatum
Common Name :Japanese Snowball, Japanese Snowball Viburnum, Doublefile Viburnum
Habitat: Viburnum plicatum is native to E. Asia – China, Japan. It grows in mountains to 1800 metres, C. and S. Japan.
Description:
Viburnum plicatum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.The leaves are opposite, 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and 3–6 cm broad, simple ovate to oval, with a serrated margin. The flowers are produced in flat corymbs 5–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter, comprising a central cluster of fertile yellowish-white flowers 5 mm diameter, surrounded by a ring of showy, sterile flowers 2–3 cm diameter, which act as a target guide to pollinating insects. The fruit is an ovoid blue-black drupe 8–10 mm long.
It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Cultivation:
It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c. Plants are surface-rooting and are very susceptible to damage by hoeing, drought or water-logging. A section of top growth will often die back if the roots are damaged, in severe cases this will lead to the death of the plant. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties. The type species is actually a sterile garden form. The true wild species is often referred to as V. plicatum tomentosum. (Thunb.)Miq. Plants take about 5 years from planting out before they produce fruit. Fruit production can be erratic. Plants are self-incompatible and need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.
Edible Uses:
Fruit are eaten raw or cooked. Young leaves – cooked. Rather unpleasant.
Medicinal Uses: No medicinal uses are found
Other Uses:
Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Screen, Specimen. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_plicatum
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Viburnum+plicatum
