Viburnum
Viburnum
Viburnum (pronunciation: vi-BUR-num) is a genus of about 150–175 species of flowering plants in the moschatel family Adoxaceae. Its current classification is based on molecular phylogeny. It was previously included in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae.
Etymology
The name Viburnum is derived from the Latin word "viburnum" for a plant species, possibly the Viburnum lantana, and was used by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia.
Description
Viburnum are shrubs or (in a few species) small trees that were previously included in the family Caprifoliaceae. They are native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a few species extending into tropical montane regions in South America and southeast Asia. In Africa, the genus is confined to the Atlas Mountains.
The leaves are opposite, simple, and entire, toothed or lobed; cool temperate species are deciduous, while most of the warm temperate species are evergreen. Some species are densely hairy on the shoots and leaves, with star-shaped hairs.
The flowers are produced in corymbs 5–15 cm across, each flower white to cream or pink, small, 3–5 mm across, with five petals, strongly fragrant in some species. The gynoecium has three connate carpels with the nectary on top of the gynoecium. Some species also have a fringe of large, showy sterile flowers round the perimeter of the corymb to act as a pollinator target.
The fruit is a spherical, oval or somewhat flattened drupe, red to purple, blue, or black, and containing a single seed; some are edible for humans (though many others are mildly poisonous to people).
Species
Some well-known species of Viburnum include:
- Viburnum opulus (Guelder-rose or European Cranberrybush)
- Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring Tree)
- Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus)
- Viburnum rhytidophyllum (Leatherleaf Viburnum)
- Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum)
Related Terms
- Adoxaceae: The moschatel family of flowering plants, to which Viburnum belongs.
- Caprifoliaceae: The honeysuckle family, in which Viburnum was previously classified.
- Corymb: A flat-topped or convex inflorescence; in Viburnum, the flowers are produced in corymbs.
- Drupe: A type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell with a seed inside; Viburnum fruits are drupes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Viburnum
- Wikipedia's article - Viburnum
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