Wild Beauty of Algeria: Viburnum lantana and Its Botanical Significance

 

Taxonomy:       

Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Tracheophytes
Class:	Angiosperms
Class:	Eudicots
Order:	Dipsacales
Family:	Adoxaceae
Genus:	Viburnum
Species:	V. Lantana

             

Viburnum lantana, commonly known as Wayfaring Tree, is a resilient shrub native to parts of Algeria. Recognized for its ornamental beauty and ecological value, this plant also holds traditional medicinal uses.

 Introduction

Algeria is home to an astonishing variety of native plant species, including many with ecological, medicinal, and cultural significance. Among these is Viburnum lantana, a perennial shrub that flourishes in the Mediterranean zones of the country. Known for its creamy-white flowers and dense berry clusters, this wild plant is a quiet but valuable member of Algeria's native flora.

 

Synonyms:

Viburnum rigidum, Viburnum cotoneaster

Viburnum lantana var. glabratum Chabert

 

How to Identify Viburnum lantana

Leaves: Oval, wrinkled, toothed edges, grayish underside

Flowers: Small, creamy-white, in flat-topped clusters (May-June)

Fruits: Red berries turning black when ripe (slightly toxic when raw)

Bark: Gray-brown, slightly fissured

 

Type Of Plant	Life Cycle	Height	Flowering Time	Altitude
Shrub/deciduous	Perennial	0.5 m to 3.5 m	May-Juin	0 -1900 m

 

Mediterranean	Edible	Color	Abundance	Toxicity
Yes	No	Cream-White	Common	Toxic/Low

 

Other Common Name:

Arabic	Berber	English	French	Other Name
Elouachna	Zanzoula,Takhzount	Wayfaring Tree	Viorne lantane	Durillo blanco,Wayfarer

 

Where to Find It in Algeria: Exact Locations

Viburnum lantana grows primarily in the Tell Atlas Mountains and Djijel region, favoring:

Mountain slopes and forest edges (Boumerdes, Bouira, and Tipaza)

Mediterranean coastal woodlands

Oak and cedar mixed forests

It prefers limestone-rich soils, moderate altitudes, and semi-shaded to sunny exposures.

Algerian Distribution

While not widespread in arid or Saharan zones, Viburnum lantana is naturally distributed in:

• Northern Algeria
• Tell Atlas regions
• Humid and sub-humid zones with Mediterranean climates

It is a typical example of the Mediterranean sclerophyllous shrubland found in North Africa.

 

Traditional Uses:

Medicinal: Leaves used in folk remedies (astringent properties)

Craft: Flexible stems used in basketry

 

Caution: Raw berries may cause stomach upset

Related species:

§  Viburnum Odoratissimum -Awabuki

§  Viburnum Macrophyllum

§  Viburnum rigidum

§  Viburnum Opulus

§  Viburnum rhytidophyllum

§  Viburnum Tinus -Laurustunis

§  Viburnum Tomentosum

§  Viburnum Prunifolium

§  Viburnum suspensum