Viburnum tinus

Appearance

It is a shrub reaching 2–7 m tall and 3 m broad, with a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are evergreen, persisting 2–3 years, ovate to elliptic, borne in opposite pairs, 4–10 cm long and 2–4 cm broad, with an entire margin. The flowers are small, white or light pink, produced from reddish-pink buds in dense cymes 5–10 cm diameter in the winter. The fragrant flowers are bisexual and pentamerous. The flowering period is from October to June. Pollination is by insects. The fruit is a dark blue-black drupe 5–7 mm long.

There are three subspecies:
⤷  ''Viburnum tinus'' subsp. ''tinus''. Mediterranean region.
⤷  ''Viburnum tinus'' subsp. ''rigidum'' . Canary Islands.
⤷  ''Viburnum tinus'' subsp. ''subcordatum''. Azores.

Leaves have domatia where predatory and microbivorous mites can be housed.

Habitat

It grows mainly in the Mediterranean maquis and in oak forests. It prefers shady, moist areas, at an altitude of 0–800 metres above sea level.

Uses

''V. tinus'' has medicinal properties. The active ingredients are viburnin and tannins. Tannins can cause stomach upset. The leaves when infused have antipyretic properties. The fruits have been used as purgatives against constipation. The tincture has been used lately in herbal medicine as a remedy for depression. The plant also contains iridoid glucosides.