Guelder Rose, Cranberry Bush
Viburnum opulus

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3-4.5 m tall and spreads 2.5-3.7 m wide. It is larger than the North American cranberry. It loses its leaves during the year. There are saucer like glands on the leaf stalk. The leaves are maple like. The flowers are white and occur in heads. Small fertile flowers are surrounded by larger infertile flowers. The fruit are red and occur in bunches. The fruit are bitter and remain on the tree over winter.

There are about 150 Viburnum species. Also put in the family Caprifoliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It is best in an open, sunny position. It is hardy. It grows in damp situations. It suits hardiness zones 3-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China - Xinjiang, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The leaves, bark and berries are all reported as poisonous. The fruit are sour and used as a substitute for cranberry in making jelly, jams, preserves, sauce and wine. They are also eaten with honey and flour. They are eaten raw after frosts. The flowers are dried and used for a tea drink.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed or cuttings. A spacing of 2-3 m is suitable.

Its other names

Local names

Brnchi, Brogovita, Crampbark, Dzaxhveli, European cranberry-bush, European highbush-cranberry, Kalina, Koera oidpuu, Lodjapuu, Putinas, Snowball

Synonyms

Viburnum opulus f. nanum (I. David) Zabel; Viburnum opulus f. xanthocarpum (Endl.) Rehder;