Viburnum Tinus in Algeria: A Guide to the Native Laurustinus

Taxonomy:       

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

             

Welcome to a deep dive into one of the most resilient and beautiful shrubs enhancing Algerian plant biodiversity: Viburnum tinus. Known commonly as Laurustinus, this plant is a cornerstone of the native Algerian flora, thriving in the unique climate of North Africa.

Introduction

Viburnum tinus is a robust, evergreen shrub celebrated for its year-round beauty and ecological hardiness. A proud member of the flora of North Africa, it paints the Algerian landscapes with clusters of pinkish-white flowers and dark, metallic-blue berries. As a key perennial plant in Algeria, it plays a vital role in local ecosystems and offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Algerian native plants.

Synonyms

Tynus lucidus

Tynus lauriformis J.Presl

Viburnum lauriforme Lam.

Viburnum latifolium Schult.

Viburnum lucidum Mill.

Tinus laurifolius Borkh.

 

How to identify it:

Viburnum Tinus is a plant belonging to the Adoxaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, southern Europe and North Africa .It is a fragrant evergreen shrub, with a height of 2 to 3 meters, blooms in the winter, the flowers are white and pink, and its fruit is not edible.

 

Type Of Plant	Life Cycle	Height	Flowering Time	Altitude
Shrub	Perennial	2  to 3 m	Winter/Spring	0 - 1000 m

 

Mediterranean	Edible	Color	Abundance	Toxicity
Yes	No	White/Pink	More rarely	Weakly  toxic

 

Other Common Name:

Arabic	Berber/Targui	English	French	Other Name
Baylasen	Moughir	Gwenllian,Laurustinus	Laurier tin	Lisarose,Durillo

Where to Find Viburnum Tinus in Algeria

This shrub is a classic component of the Mediterranean maquis and forest undergrowth. It is not typically found in the arid Algerian desert plants biome but thrives in the humid and sub-humid regions of the north.

As a native Algerian plant, it is naturally occurring in several areas, making it a fantastic subject for those interested in Algerian wild edible plants and medicinal plants in Algeria, albeit with caution.

 

Exact Locations in Algeria:

• The Akfadou Forest: This vast forest in the Kabylie region, known for its dense and diverse ecosystem, is a prime habitat for native Viburnum tinus.
• The Djurdjura Mountains: Found within the National Park, it grows in the understory of cedar and oak forests.
• Coastal Regions of Tizi Ouzou and Béjaïa: The humid climate along the coast provides ideal conditions for it to flourish.
• The Edough Forest near Annaba is another key location where it can be spotted.

While not one of the rare plants in Algeria in these specific regions, its presence is a marker of a healthy, undisturbed ecosystem. However, specific genetic varieties could be considered among the endemic plants of Algeria. 

 

Related species:

§  Viburnum Lantana

§  Viburnum Odoratissimum -Awabuki

§  Viburnum Macrophyllum

§  Viburnum rigidum

§  Viburnum Opulus

§  Viburnum rhytidophyllum

§  Viburnum Tomentosum

§  Viburnum Prunifolium

§  Viburnum suspensum

 

Warning:

 Fruit consumption can cause major digestive disturbances