Viburnum tinus - Laurustinus
- Hakan Sener
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Explore Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Viburnum tinus | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Laurustinus, Laurestine
Family: Adoxaceae
Appearance: An evergreen shrub with dark green, leathery leaves and clusters of small white to pale pink flowers blooming in late winter to early spring, followed by metallic blue-black berries.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen
Layer: Shrub
Root System: Fibrous root system, moderately deep
Height: 2–3 meters
Width: 2–3 meters
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Attracts bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators
Toxicity: Berries may cause mild gastrointestinal distress if ingested in large quantities
Viburnum tinus | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa
Companionship: Grows well with other Mediterranean shrubs such as rosemary, myrtle, and cistus
Invasive Range: Not widely reported as invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7–10
Minimum Chill Hours Required: Not specified
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance
Drought: Moderate tolerance
Shade: High tolerance
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: High tolerance
Maritime: High tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Moderate tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Prefers moist, well-drained soils
Soil Type: Loamy, clay, or sandy soils
Soil PH: Tolerates a wide range (6.0–8.0)
Propagation
Seeds: Can be propagated by seeds, which may require stratification
Cuttings: Commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Viburnum tinus | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: Not commonly used for human consumption
Medicinal: Not widely recognized medicinally
Cosmetics: Not commonly used in cosmetics
Animal Feed: Not suitable for livestock feed
Fiber: Not used for fiber
Timber: Not a timber source
Firewood: Not commonly used
Wind Break: Useful in hedgerows as a moderate windbreak
Fence: Suitable as a living fence or privacy hedge
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Not typically used as mulch
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available
Pollinator Attractor: Yes, especially in winter and early spring
Pest Repellent: Not noted for pest-repelling properties
Wildlife Supporter: Supports pollinators and provides berries for birds
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