Laurustinus

Laurustinus (Viburnum Tinus, see VIBURNUM), a beautiful evergreen shrub, a native of the south of Europe and North Africa, and belonging to the natural order Caprifoliaceæ. Its beauty is enhanced by its habit of flowering in winter. The flowers are white, in corymbs, and are succeeded by small black berries with a blue bloom, which inflame the mouth, if eaten, like those of Mezeron (q.v.), and are said to be violently purgative, yet are the favourite food of certain birds. Laurustinus suffers from severe winters in Britain, and will not endure the winters of northern Europe and the colder regions of America.