Viburnums

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae, commonly found in temperate regions, known for their attractive blossoms and often used in ornamental gardening
2. Deciduous or evergreen shrubs and small trees recognized for their clusters of flowers and distinctive berries, often cultivated for landscaping purposes
3. A group of woody plants that produce blossoms and fruits, valued in horticulture for their aesthetic appeal and ability to attract wildlife

Etymology: "Viburnums" is simply the plural of "viburnum," the name of a genus of shrubs and small trees in the honeysuckle-related family Adoxaceae. The name was borrowed from Latin, where "vīburnum" was the classical word for the wayfaring tree, a plant that Roman writers knew and used the same name for. The plural follows ordinary English practice: one plant, many plants of that kind. Gardeners and botanists refer to the genus as a whole, so the plural simply counts the individual shrubs grown in a border or hedgerow.