Laurustinus - #204
Scientific Name: "Viburnum tinus"
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CURRENT RESEARCH:
Even though this research isn't the most current because it happened within the past 19 years, I felt that it left a greater impact. Plus, it was ten times more interesting than reading a scientific notes. The research I found has discovered an interesting correspondence because the Laurustinus and mites. According to the article Plants, Mites and Mutualism: Leaf Domatia and the Abundance and Reproduction of Mites on Viburnum tinus (Caprifoliaceae) by Paul Grostal and Dennis J. O'Dowd, they have discovered the leaf domatia has altered the amount of plant mutations that occur on this shrub. Leaf domatia are basically little chambers that give protection to mites and such from deadly parasites. So it's ultimately helpful for the plant as well (Agrawal, Karban & Colfer, 2000). When tested over a four month period, there were 2-36 times more predatory and microbivorous mites and mite eggs on the garden shrubs with lead domatia than the ones without (Grostal & O'Dowd, 1994). Also, more mites were found within the vein axils of the leaves with domatia. When experimenting with single leaves, the domatia had enhanced the reproduction of predatory mites. These types of mites are actually good to have in your plants because they eat spiders and other unwanted mites. To test this even further, the scientists decided to remove to domatia. When this happened, the oviposition reduced at a significant rate. Oviposition is the process of laying eggs. The conclusion is said to be the leaf domatia on shrubs, including the Laurustinus, is beneficial for the mites and the plants they inhabit. The mites have a place to live and the shrubs are protected against their enemies.
Even though this research isn't the most current because it happened within the past 19 years, I felt that it left a greater impact. Plus, it was ten times more interesting than reading a scientific notes. The research I found has discovered an interesting correspondence because the Laurustinus and mites. According to the article Plants, Mites and Mutualism: Leaf Domatia and the Abundance and Reproduction of Mites on Viburnum tinus (Caprifoliaceae) by Paul Grostal and Dennis J. O'Dowd, they have discovered the leaf domatia has altered the amount of plant mutations that occur on this shrub. Leaf domatia are basically little chambers that give protection to mites and such from deadly parasites. So it's ultimately helpful for the plant as well (Agrawal, Karban & Colfer, 2000). When tested over a four month period, there were 2-36 times more predatory and microbivorous mites and mite eggs on the garden shrubs with lead domatia than the ones without (Grostal & O'Dowd, 1994). Also, more mites were found within the vein axils of the leaves with domatia. When experimenting with single leaves, the domatia had enhanced the reproduction of predatory mites. These types of mites are actually good to have in your plants because they eat spiders and other unwanted mites. To test this even further, the scientists decided to remove to domatia. When this happened, the oviposition reduced at a significant rate. Oviposition is the process of laying eggs. The conclusion is said to be the leaf domatia on shrubs, including the Laurustinus, is beneficial for the mites and the plants they inhabit. The mites have a place to live and the shrubs are protected against their enemies.
Creative Writing:
People see the Laurustinus only as a decoration to their yard. It has so much more to offer, but residents are blinded from wanting to be the best in their neighborhood. Even though this shrub can take over a year to fully germinate, owners love having this plant in their front yards to show off. Good thing Europeans brought them over to the United States! Americans today have such nice, cozy homes behind all their shrubbery. I doubt they know their own Laurustinus is a home as well. It houses mites and nematodes underneath it's green, feathery ceiling. The mites are so thankful for a home that they devote their own lives to protecting it. They devour any evil parasites, just waiting to take over their surroundings. You'd think their poisonous fruits, better known as drupes, would stop anyone from invading their home sweet home.
People see the Laurustinus only as a decoration to their yard. It has so much more to offer, but residents are blinded from wanting to be the best in their neighborhood. Even though this shrub can take over a year to fully germinate, owners love having this plant in their front yards to show off. Good thing Europeans brought them over to the United States! Americans today have such nice, cozy homes behind all their shrubbery. I doubt they know their own Laurustinus is a home as well. It houses mites and nematodes underneath it's green, feathery ceiling. The mites are so thankful for a home that they devote their own lives to protecting it. They devour any evil parasites, just waiting to take over their surroundings. You'd think their poisonous fruits, better known as drupes, would stop anyone from invading their home sweet home.
References:
PICTURES:
http://www.aphotoflora.com/images/adoxaceae/viburnum_tinus_laurustinus_leaf_19-02-05.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4434458073_e16848f071.jpg
INFORMATION:
Agrawal, A. A., Karban, R., & Colfer, R. G. (2000). How leaf domatia and induced plant resistance affect herbivores, natural enemies and plant performance ___[Abstract]. Oikos, 89(1), 70-80.
Gilman, E. F. (1999, October). Virburnum tinus. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved from ___http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/vibtina.pdf
Grostal, P., & O'Dowd, D. J. (1994). Plants, mites and mutualism: Leaf domatia and the abundance and reproduction of mites on viburnum tinus ___(caprifoliaceae) [Abstract]. Oecologia, 97(3), 308-315. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4220621
Monrovia. (2013). Roundleaf laurustinus. Monrovia. Retrieved from http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2216/roundleaf-laurustinus.php
Pascale Pierre Servais & SEBA. (2013). Viburnum tinus. Viburnum Tinus. Retrieved from http://www.tilo-botanica.eu/Tilo_Botanica/Viburnum_tinus.html
Plants For A Future, L. (2012). Viburnun tinus - l. Plants For A Future. Retrieved from http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Viburnum+tinus
PICTURES:
http://www.aphotoflora.com/images/adoxaceae/viburnum_tinus_laurustinus_leaf_19-02-05.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4434458073_e16848f071.jpg
INFORMATION:
Agrawal, A. A., Karban, R., & Colfer, R. G. (2000). How leaf domatia and induced plant resistance affect herbivores, natural enemies and plant performance ___[Abstract]. Oikos, 89(1), 70-80.
Gilman, E. F. (1999, October). Virburnum tinus. University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved from ___http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/vibtina.pdf
Grostal, P., & O'Dowd, D. J. (1994). Plants, mites and mutualism: Leaf domatia and the abundance and reproduction of mites on viburnum tinus ___(caprifoliaceae) [Abstract]. Oecologia, 97(3), 308-315. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4220621
Monrovia. (2013). Roundleaf laurustinus. Monrovia. Retrieved from http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2216/roundleaf-laurustinus.php
Pascale Pierre Servais & SEBA. (2013). Viburnum tinus. Viburnum Tinus. Retrieved from http://www.tilo-botanica.eu/Tilo_Botanica/Viburnum_tinus.html
Plants For A Future, L. (2012). Viburnun tinus - l. Plants For A Future. Retrieved from http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Viburnum+tinus