Wildflowers of the United States

Hobblebush, Witch Hobble, Hobbleberry - Viburnum lantanoides

Genus Common Name: Viburnum

Native Status: Native

Dicot Perennial Shrub

Viburnum lantanoides - Hobblebush, Witch Hobble, Hobbleberry. Viburnum is a large genus in the Adoxaceae (Muskroot) family (formerly Caprifoliaceae), with 150 to 200 species worldwide - mostly in Asia and South America, but with 30 to 35 found in the wild in the United States. There are also a number of cultivars - think Snowball Bush. I most frequently confuse Viburnum with Hydrangea, although they are not closely related, probably because some species of both plants may have larger, sterile flowers around the outside of the inflorescence. The flowers of Viburnum will normally have 5 stamens, while those of Hydrangea will have 8 to 10. Both Viburnums and Hydrangeas normally appear as shrubs or small trees.

Viburnum lantanoides is a plant that prefers cool, moist places, found primarily in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, but also found into the southeastern United States in the upper elevations of the Appalachian Mountains. The photos on this page were taken at an elevation of over 4,000 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Found in:
CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV

Leave comments on Viburnum lantanoides at this link.

Distribution of Viburnum lantanoides in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
Search Our Database: Enter any portion of the Scientific, Common Name, or both.

Do a general Google search of the entire site:

#ad

Follow USWildflowers on Twitter

Site: Newfound Gap, GSMNP, Swain County, NC Date: 2015-May-05	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The inflorescence of Viburnum lantanoides is a terminal cyme about 4 inches across consisting of many small, white, 5-lobed fertile flowers surrounded by a number of large, sterile blossom on the outer edge of the inflorescence. The fertile flowers have 5 stamens; Hyndrangea, which may have a similar inflorescence, has 8 to 10 stamens.

Site: Newfound Gap, GSMNP, Swain County, NC Date: 2015-May-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Witch Hobble is a loose plant up to 12 feet tall. It is many-branching, with the branches frequently reclining. Where they touch the ground they may take root. This makes it somewhat difficult to walk through a thicket, making it a "hobble".
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Newfound Gap, GSMNP, Swain County, NC Date: 2015-May-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The leaves of Witch Hobble are opposing, are distinctly veined, and are quite rough on the surface. They are ovate to nearly round except for the cordate (heart-shaped) base and the pointed tip. They have fine teeth.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Newfound Gap, GSMNP, Swain County, NC Date: 2015-May-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The upper and lower surfaces of the leaves have rusty colored hairs when they are young.
Click on the photo for a larger image

References used for identification and information:

#ad

Viburnum lantanoides initially published on USWildflowers.com 2016-01-19; Updated 2017-03-02

Commercial / Cookie Notice

Looking for Wildflowers for a specific state? Check here:

All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302