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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

flora of algeria  Algerian wild plants  Flora of Algeria  Algerian wild plants  flora of Algeria  Flora of Algeria  Flora of Algeria  Algerian wild plants

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

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