Guelder Rose - Viburnum opulus

Irish name - Caorchon
Honeysuckle family - Caprifoliaceae

Characteristics

• Guelder rose is a shrub that grows up to a height of 4m (12ft).
• It has pale brown twigs, which become grey as they age.
• The main stems often terminate in flower buds giving the shrub a bushy form.
• It flowers in flat umbrella-like clusters, in two forms. In the centre are small perfect yellow-white flowers; the outer flowers are large and pure white without stamens or pistil.
• The fruits are a translucent red, with each containing one seed.

Season

• The leaves unfold in April.
• Flowers open in June and July.
• Fruits ripen in September and October.
• The leaves, which often turn red in autumn, fall in October or early November.

Preferred Environment

• Guelder rose thrives best in moist soils and will grow in light woodland scrub, hedges, and marshes.
• It occurs in moderately acid and alkaline soils but more commonly on the latter. It does not do well on very acid soils or in very dry situations.
• This plant is light-demanding, not flowering or fruiting well in shade, although it will survive.

Wildlife Associations

• There are 17 identified insects species associated with the guelder rose.
• Its drooping berries often stay hanging after the leaves have fallen, and are relished by birds.
• The showy outer flowers, which are sterile, act as a flag to attract insects to the smaller, fertile flowers further in.

Uses

• The leaves, bark or berries are all poisonus to man, though the berries are eatable when cooked.
• Guelder Rose wood has been used for making sewers and its berk has been used as herbal medicine for cramps and asthma.

Please remember...

Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).