VIBURNUM LUCIDUM: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES, CULTIVATION, CARE - SCIENCE - 2024

Viburnum lucidum is a species of perennial shrub that belongs to the Adoxaceae family. Known as barbadija, duraznillo, durillo, guiyombo or laurentino, it is a natural ornamental plant of the Mediterranean region and Southeast Asia.

It is a fast-growing bushy shrub whose simple, leathery and acuminate leaves have evident veins and entire margins. The small whitish, starry and aromatic flowers are grouped in open inflorescences or corymbs. For its part, the fruit is a spherical drupe of blue-gray color when ripe.

Durillo. Source: Daniel Ventura / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

It grows on any type of soil, as long as it is loose, fertile and well drained, it even develops on soils of limestone origin. It adapts to temperate or subtropical climate conditions, requires partial shade, but tolerates direct radiation, and is also very resistant to occasional frost.

In gardening it is used to form borders, flower beds and hedges or as an individual tree, since it always remains green despite the seasonal change. It is considered a toxic species due to the presence of tannins and viburbin in leaves and fruits, and its ingestion causes from abdominal pain to cardiorespiratory arrest.

General characteristics

Durillo leaves. Source: Hectonichus / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Appearance

Semi-woody shrub with smooth bark and greyish-brown color, widely branched from the base, with dense, closed and impenetrable foliage. Under optimal conditions it reaches up to 4 m in height, even through training pruning it can take on the appearance of a tree.

Leaves

The simple, petiolate, opposite, oval-shaped leaves are 4-12 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. Each leaflet is leathery in appearance, smooth and bright green on the upper surface, rough and lighter on the underside, with entire and slightly ciliated margins.

flowers

The hermaphrodite and actinomorphic flowers of 8-10 mm in diameter are formed by 5 concave white petals and numerous yellowish stamens. They are arranged in showy terminal inflorescences or corymbs of 5-8 rays, which remain lively on the plant for several days.

Fruit

Fruiting occurs during the summer. The fruit is an ovoid drupe with a persistent calyx and a bright blue-purple color when ripe. Like the inflorescences, the fruits remain for a long time on the branches, being dangerous, since they are extremely toxic.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Subclass: Asteridae

- Order: Dipsacales

- Family: Adoxaceae

- Genus: Viburnum

- Species: Viburnum lucidum Mill.

Etymology

- Viburnum: the name of the genus derives from the Latin name of the species "Viburnum lantana" known as the "walking tree".

- Lucidum: the specific adjective is a Latin term that means "luminous or brilliant."

Synonymy

- Tinus laurifolius (Lam.) Borkh.

- Tinus rugosus (Pers.) Spach

- Tynus lauriformis (Lam.) JS Presl

- Tynus lucidus (Mill.) JS Presl

- T. rugosus (Pers.) JS Presl

- Viburnum hyemale Salisb.

- Viburnum latifolium Hort. ex Schult.

- V. laurifolium C. Koch

- V. lauriforme Lam.

- Viburnum rugosum Pers.

- Viburnum strictum Link

- V. strictum Sweet

- Viburnum tinus L., 1753 (valid name)

Durillo flowers. Source: Toulouse Museum / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Habitat and distribution

The durillo is native to the Mediterranean basin and the southern region of Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula it is located in the shady areas of the eastern mountains of Galicia, the Sierra Espuña and the humid mountains of Cehegín and Bullas.

It develops in humid and shady environments, away from direct sunlight, in an altitudinal range between 600 and 900 meters above sea level. It is a species adapted to undergrowth conditions associated with holm oak forests in continental regions, it requires an average annual rainfall greater than 350 mm.

At present it is a species cultivated as an ornamental throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of America, Europe, Asia and North Africa. In the Iberian Peninsula, Viburnum tinus are common in the Mediterranean area, Viburnum lantana in the northeast, and Viburnum opulus in the Cantabrian region.

Properties

Active principle

In phytochemical analysis of leaves and fruits, it has allowed to determine the presence of tannins, coumarins, saponins and flavone glycosides. In addition, the presence of a complex of glycoside plus resin called viburbin and the iridoid glycosides viburtinoside A and B is common.

Medicinal properties

The leaves are used as an infusion for its febrifugal, antipyretic and bitter tonic effect. The bark has cardiotonic properties and its high tannin content gives it an astringent effect.

The fruits are used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and purgative, also to expel the accumulation of fluids in the body. However, the use in folk medicine of the leaves, bark and fruits of Durillo is restricted by its toxic effect at high doses.

Gardening

Its cultivation as an ornamental plant is highly appreciated, as it adapts to various environmental conditions and its early flowering is persistent. It is used to form hedges, flower beds and borders due to its lustrous foliage, it also constitutes a natural barrier against strong winds.

Melliferous

Durillo is considered an excellent honey species. Its abundant and persistent flowers are highly valued by a wide variety of honey insects.

Toxicity

The consumption of fresh berries, by animals or people, can cause serious poisoning. The fruits have an attractive appearance that can attract the attention of children, fortunately their bitter taste causes their immediate repulsion.

The bark and leaves are high in tannins and glycosides that can be toxic in high doses. Its use as a home remedy can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa depending on the dose and frequency of consumption.

The main symptoms of Durillo poisoning are manifested as stomach pain, colic, diarrhea, bleeding in the urine, and inflammation of the digestive mucosa. In severe cases it may present respiratory disorders and cardiorespiratory arrest.

The recommended treatment for hardwood poisoning consists of stomach lavage, assisted breathing, and symptomatic medical treatment. When symptoms of poisoning are persistent, urgent hospitalization is required to avoid any complications.

Durillo fruits. Source: VoDeTan2 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Culture

The Viburnum lucidum species can be commercially reproduced by means of seeds, woody or semi-woody cuttings and air layers.

Seeds

The seeds obtained directly from healthy and vigorous plants require a stratification process at a temperature lower than 6 ºC for 4 months. The seeds are placed on a layer of damp vermiculite and kept under refrigeration, providing ventilation once a week.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings takes place during the spring. Cuttings 25-30 cm in length are cut with tools disinfected with alcohol from woody or semi-woody branches.

The sowing is done in rooting beds or pots, using a porous substrate obtained from the mixture of equal parts of black peat and perlite. It is recommended to impregnate the end of the cutting to be planted with powdered rooting phytohormones.

Once planted, the room temperature and relative humidity must be kept constant, trying to protect from direct sunlight. After a month, as long as the substrate is moist, the cuttings begin to develop the first roots.

Layers

The technique to obtain new seedlings by layering is very simple. The process consists of burying a long branch, uncut from the main plant, in the ground and holding it with a stake.

Keeping the leaves at the free end, the plant begins the process of rooting the buried piece after a short time. After 10-12 months a new plant has developed that can be transplanted to a different site.

Flowers and Fruits of Durillo. Source: Wouter Hagens / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Care

Location

Durillo is an ornamental shrub that requires good lighting throughout the day for its effective development, although without direct radiation. However, it can develop in full sun exposure but its growth level would be lower.

Floor

It grows on any type of soil, as long as it is permeable and has good drainage. In heavy soils, it is advisable to add a little sand at the time of planting to avoid waterlogging of the root system.

Irrigation

Despite being a rustic species, the durillo requires frequent watering, especially during hot and dry seasons. It does not tolerate the water deficit, so it is recommended to water 2-3 times a week during the summer and every 5-6 days the rest of the year.

Subscriber

The amendment with organic fertilizers is important during the growth and production phases, seeking frequent applications from spring to the end of summer. In addition to fertilizers of mineral origin, applications of organic fertilizers such as chicken manure, guano, worm castings and goat or horse manure are effective.

Durillo in its natural environment. Source: Retama 11:10, 14 April 2007 (UTC) / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Pruning

Durillo is an ornamental plant that is used to form hedges, so it requires frequent pinching to keep the crown compact and rounded. In fact, its maintenance requires continuous pruning every 20-30 days due to its rapid growth.

Transplant

The best time to transplant, either to change the pot or plant in the field, is during the spring. Preferably after the frost irrigations have passed.

Diseases and pests

Durillo is a rustic plant very resistant to the attack of diseases or pests of economic importance. However, under hot and dry conditions, incidences of spider mites, mealybugs or aphids can occur, which are controlled with specific physical or insecticidal methods.

In the case of humid environments and poorly drained soils, the appearance of fungi of the genus Phytophthora can cause rotting of the stem and roots. Its presence is detected when it has already caused the damage, so it is advisable to regulate the irrigation and disinfect the land with a fungicide.

References

1. Durillo: Viburnum tinus (2018) Region of Murcia Digital. Recovered at: regmurcia.com
2. Sánchez, M. (2017) Viburnum lucidum. Gardening On. Recovered in: jardineriaon.com
3. Viburnum. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
4. Viburnum lucidum Mill. (2019). GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backb one Taxonomy. Check list datas et. Recovered at: gbif.org
5. Viburnum tinus. (2020). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Viburnum tinus L. (2018) Catalog of Life: Annual Check list Interface. Recovered at: catalogueoflife.org
7. Viburnum tinus 'Lucidum' (2020) Gardener's World Magazine. Recovered at: gardenersworld.com