The generic name originated in Latin, where 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 nectaryon 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. Birds eat the berries of Viburnum obovatum.
Species
Around 165 species are described. A 2014 phylogenetic study proposed the following phylogenetic scheme and sections:
V. clemensiae Kern
Lentago – Eastern North America except for V. elatum in Mexico
V. cassinoides L. – Witherod viburnum, wild raisin, Appalachian tea
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 hybridViburnum × bodnantense is particularly popular for its strongly scented pink flowers on the leafless deciduous shoots in mid- to late winter.
Viburnum × burkwoodii
Viburnum × carlcephalum
Viburnum carlesii has round white flowerheads, strong fragrance, dense structure, and reddish leaves in autumn.
Viburnum davidii is an evergreen species from China with blue fruit.
Viburnum dentatum has flat-topped flowers, bluish fruit, and reddish leaves in autumn. It is somewhat salt-tolerant. The cultivar 'Blue Muffin' is more compact than the species and has fruit that are a deeper blue than the species.
Viburnum dilatatum has flat-topped flowers, reddish leaves in autumn, and bright red fruit that persist into winter.
Viburnum × jackii - Jack's viburnum
Viburnum × juddii
Viburnum plicatum has white flowers, textured leaves, reddish-black fruit, and can grow quite large under ideal conditions. The species can tolerate shade, but not drought.
Viburnum × pragense
Viburnum × rhytidophylloides
Viburnum rhytidophyllum is a popular evergreen species, grown mainly for its foliage effect of large, dark green leathery leaves with strongly wrinkled surface. This is the parent species of two popular hybrid cultivars known as 'Alleghany' and 'Pragense'. 'Alleghany' was selected from a hybrid between V. rhytidophyllum and V. lantana 'Mohican'.
Viburnum setigerum has upright, coarse structure and orange to reddish-orange fruit.
Viburnum sieboldii has coarse, open structure, flat-topped flowers, reddish-black fruit, and can grow as a small tree.
Viburnum tinus is a widely grown garden and landscape shrub.
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 are edible and can be eaten either raw or for making jam, while other species 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 Russia and UkraineViburnum opulus is an important element of their traditional folk cultures. In Ukraine, Viburnum opulus 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. In Russia the Viburnum fruit is called kalina and is considered a national symbol. Kalina derived in Russian language from kalit' or raskalyat', which means "to make red-hot". The red fiery color of the berries represents beauty in Russian culture and together with sweet raspberries it symbolise the passionate love of a beautiful maiden, since berries were always an erotic symbol in Russia. The name of the Russian song Kalinka is a diminutive of Kalina.Viburnum opulus'' is also an important symbol of Russian national ornamental wood painting handicraft style called Khokhloma.
