Viburnum
Quick facts for kids Viburnum |
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| Viburnum opulus fruit | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Adoxaceae |
| Genus: | Viburnum L. |
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A Viburnum is a type of plant that includes about 150 to 175 different kinds, or species. These plants are known for their beautiful flowers. They belong to a plant family called Adoxaceae. Before, scientists thought they were part of the honeysuckle family.
Viburnums can be shrubs (bushy plants) or small trees. Some keep their leaves all year round (these are called evergreen), while others lose their leaves in autumn (these are deciduous). You can find them mostly in cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Some even grow in tropical mountains in places like South America and Southeast Asia. In Africa, they are found only in the Atlas Mountains.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Viburnum comes from Latin. In ancient Rome, this word was used to describe a specific plant, the Viburnum lantana, which is one type of viburnum.
How to Spot a Viburnum
Leaves
Viburnum leaves usually grow in pairs, directly across from each other on the stem. They are simple, meaning each leaf is a single blade. Their edges can be smooth, toothed, or lobed. Plants from colder areas often lose their leaves in winter (deciduous). Those from warmer places usually keep their leaves all year (evergreen). Some viburnums have fuzzy leaves and stems, covered in tiny star-shaped hairs.
Flowers
The flowers of viburnums grow in clusters called corymbs. These clusters can be 5 to 15 centimeters wide. Each individual flower is small, about 3 to 5 millimeters across. They are typically white, cream, or pink and have five petals. Some viburnum flowers smell very sweet! In some types, you might see larger, showy flowers around the edge of the cluster. These act like a target to attract pollinators, such as bees.
Fruits
After the flowers, viburnums produce fruits. These fruits are usually round, oval, or slightly flat. They can be red, purple, blue, or black. Each fruit contains one seed. It's important to know that some viburnum fruits are safe to eat, like those used for jam. However, many other types are not good to eat and can make you feel sick if you eat too many. Always check with an adult or expert before trying any wild fruit! The leaves of viburnum plants are also a food source for the larvae (caterpillars) of many moths and butterflies.
Many Kinds of Viburnum
There are many different kinds of viburnum plants, around 165 species in total! Scientists study these plants to understand how they are related to each other. Each species has its own unique features, like the shape of its leaves or the color of its fruits. Some examples include the Viburnum lantana, also known as the wayfaring tree, and the Viburnum opulus, known as the Guelder-rose.
Viburnums in Our Lives
Garden Favorites
Many viburnum species are very popular in gardens and parks. People love them for their beautiful flowers, colorful berries, and sometimes their sweet smell. Some even have leaves that turn lovely colors in autumn!
Here are a few popular types:
- The Viburnum × bodnantense is a special hybrid plant. It's loved for its pink, fragrant flowers that bloom in winter, even when the plant has no leaves.
- Viburnum carlesii has round, white flower clusters and a strong, pleasant scent. Its leaves turn reddish in the fall.
- Viburnum davidii is an evergreen type from China. It stands out with its bright blue fruits.
- Viburnum plicatum has white flowers, textured leaves, and reddish-black fruit. It can grow quite large.
- Viburnum tinus is another common garden shrub. It's often chosen for its attractive appearance.
Some special viburnum varieties, like 'Pragense' and 'Eskimo', have even won awards for being excellent garden plants from the Royal Horticultural Society.
Other Cool Uses
Viburnums have been useful to people for a long time!
- In prehistory, people used the long, straight branches of some viburnum plants to make arrows. For example, arrows found with Ötzi the Iceman, a mummy from thousands of years ago, were made from viburnum wood.
- As mentioned, some viburnum fruits are safe to eat. For instance, the fruit of Viburnum lentago can be eaten fresh or used to make jam. But remember, other types, like Viburnum opulus, are not safe to eat and can make you sick. Always be careful and only eat fruits you know are safe!
- The bark from some viburnum species has been used in herbal medicine. People used it to help with muscle spasms and breathing difficulties.
