#laurestinus

(Laurestine)

(Image from William Curtis' The Botanical Magazine, 1788)

History and Etymology: The laurestine belongs to a large genus of Viburnum plants, all of which share a similar color and shape. Laurestine in particular was named for the way its leaves are similarly shaped to bay laurels. The word "tinus" means "snowball" in Latin. Don't just search "tinus", though. I got shown a spider. :/

Flower Symbolism: The laurestine flower's meaning is "I die if neglected." It's a touch rare for flowers to have a negative context with no positive counterpart, but laurestine does it.

Fun Facts:

Laurestine is native to the Mediterranean, namely Greece and coastal Turkey. It has been introduced to several other continents like Australia and North America, and now grows there naturally.

Viburnum tinus grows a blue berry from its flowers. These fruits have a property that can ease constipation in herbal medicine.

The laurestinus bush can grow up to 10 feet tall, and blooms even through colder temperatures. The leaves are evergreen, as well.

Sources below

Laurestine is Another Beautiful Ornamental That Had Become Wild introduces readers to this species of viburnum. It was originally brought to the US for use as an ornamental plant, but has become naturalized in many areas.

Pink Bud Spring has come a little bit earlier here in north central Florida than it did last year, and it is now in full swing. Early blooming flowers are everywhere providing pops of color in the green of new grass coming up. Many of the local trees are also blossoming providing colorful shows up in the air as well. There are brightly pink flowers all over the eastern redbuds, and white flowers…