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. The member species are evergreen or deciduous shrubs or (in a few cases) small trees 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.

Name

The generic name Viburnum originated in Latin, in which it referred to V. lantana.

Description

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 around 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, but many others are mildly poisonous. The leaves are eaten by the larvae of many Lepidoptera species.

Species

Around 165 species are described. A 2014 phylogenetic study proposed the following phylogenetic scheme and sections: Lentago – Eastern North America except for V. elatum in Mexico Punctata Euviburnum Pseudotinus – Asia, except V. lantanoides in Eastern North America Solenotinus – Asia, extending west to India and south to Indonesia Lutescentia (excluding Tomentosa) Tomentosa – China, Japan Amplicrenotinus (excluding Crenotinus) Urceolata Tinus – Asia, except V. tinus in Europe Corisuccotinus (excluding Succotinus and Coriaceae) Succotinus Coriaceae Sambucina Opulus – Circumboreal Mollotinus Dentata – Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America Oreinotinus – Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America Undetermined

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Cultivation and uses

Many species of viburnum have become popular as garden or landscape plants because of their showy flowers and berries, fragrance, and good autumn colour of some forms. Some popular species, hybrids, and cultivars include: The cultivars 'Pragense' and 'Eskimo', of mixed or uncertain parentage, have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Other uses

In prehistory, the long, straight shoots of some viburnums were used for arrow-shafts, as those found with Ötzi the Iceman. The fruit of some species (e.g. V. lentago ) are edible and can be eaten either raw or for making jam, while other species (e.g. V. opulus ) are mildly toxic and can cause vomiting if eaten in quantity. The bark of some species is used in herbal medicine, as an antispasmodic and to treat asthma.

Cultural references

In Ukraine, Viburnum opulus is an important element of their traditional folk cultures, and Viburnum opulus (kalyna) is seen as a national symbol, an emblem for both the Koliada festivities and the concept of young girl's love and tenderness. It is the key element of the Ukrainian traditional wreath. A number of folk songs are dedicated to kalyna as well as very popular song "Oi u Luzi Chervona Kalina". The Lithuanian name for the genus Viburnum is "Putinas". This was the pen name of Lithuanian poet and writer Vincas Mykolaitis. In 2000, the Lithuanian liquor company Alita released a vodka named Putin Vodka, with a red, white, and blue label, which are the colours of the Russian flag. Sold only in Lithuania at that time, a company spokesperson said that the name had its origin in the tree "putinas", after speculation arose that it was named after Russian president Vladimir Putin.