Viburnum

Viburnum 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.

Description

Viburnum 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.

Species

The species of Viburnum are included in the section Pseudotinus, which is characterized by having a prophyll (a leaf-like structure) on the opposite side of the stem from the leaf bud. 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.

Uses

Many species of Viburnum have ornamental value in the garden for their flowers, berries, autumn colour, and, in some cases, interesting winter bark. Some are used for hedging.

Cultivation

Viburnum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the hummingbird hawk-moth.

Diseases

A disease that is causing high mortality in Viburnum, especially the popular V. tinus, is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae.

See also

• List of Lepidoptera that feed on Viburnum
• Viburnum beetle
• Viburnum leaf beetle
• Viburnum lantana
• Viburnum opulus
• Viburnum tinus
• Viburnum rhytidophyllum
• Viburnum carlesii

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