The laurustinus is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub that flowers in the depths of winter, when few other plants do.
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Dipsacales |
| Family | Adoxaceae |
| Genus | Viburnum |
| Species | Viburnum tinus |
It is an evergreen shrub of 2 to 4 metres, with a dense crown and oval leaves of a glossy dark green. Between late winter and spring it produces showy clusters of white or pink flowers, rich in nectar.
After flowering it develops small drupe fruits of an intense metallic blue that contrast with the dark foliage.
It is native to the western Mediterranean basin, where it grows naturally in the understorey of holm oak and cork oak woodland, preferring shady, cool environments. In gardening it is widely used as a hedge because of its evergreen foliage.
It is one of the few Mediterranean species that flowers in the depths of winter, making it a vital source of food for bees and other pollinators at the time of year when flowers are scarce.
