Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus
- Description: Deciduous shrub with dark grey, furrowed bark.
- Leaves: The leaves are opposite, three- or five-
lobed, with coarsely serrated margins. The right
side is bald, the reverse side villous. - Flower: The hermaphrodite flowers are white, produced in corymbs. The outer sterile flowers are
2 cm big in diameter, the inside flowers are small. They are produced in May. - Fruits: The fruit is a globose, bright red drupe.
- Growing conditions: Semi-shade loving tree, prefers humid soil and enough nutrients.
- Habitat: Most of Europe, Asia Minor, Siberia,
Central Asia, North Africa. In Slovakia it is a part of
the riparian forests. - Use: Guelder-rose trees and its cultivars are planted as ornamental trees in parks. It is also planted to fix the banks of rivers.
- Interesting facts: The fruits are poisonous.