Botanical lore
A
deciduous, spreading, asymmetrical shaped shrub, growing to fifteen feet tall,
peith/ guelder rose is also known as walter-elder and whitten. Other names for
this shrub include cramp bark and snowball tree and all are species of viburnum
and native to Europe and Asia. Excellent in damp soil, scrubland and thriving on
limestone, guelder rose prefers to grow at low altitudes and in semi-shade. Its
three to five lobed leaves grow opposite one another, being two to four inches
long and broad, with a rounded base and jagged outer edge. Looking somewhat
similar to a maple leaf, guelder rose leaves can be distinguished by their
slightly wrinkled surface.
Growing from the top of the stems, its flat,
cream/white, 'lace-cap' flowerheads appear in May or June and are visited by
many insects including hoverflies. Guelder rose has white hermaphrodite flowers,
produced in corymbs (multiple flowerheads) of up to four and a half inches
diameter. Each corymb comprises a ring of outer sterile flowers that are one and
a half inches diameter with conspicuous petals, surrounding a center of much
smaller fertile flowers, that are pollinated by insects.
The fruit is a globose
bright red drupe just over three inches diameter, each containing a single seed.
Although dispersed by birds, these large clusters of round, brilliant glossy red
fruits are almost translucent, and remain on the plant throughout the winter.
Beetles will feed on it throughout adult and larval stages. Eaten raw, the fruit
is edible in small quantities, yet has a very acidic taste that can be mildly
toxic, causing vomiting. It can however be made into a jelly or even a cranberry
substitute, or as a preserve.
Medicinally, the guelder rose has extensive uses,
since both leaves and fruits are anti scorbutic, emetic and laxative, while its
bark contains 'scopolamine', that can sedate the uterus when used dried in a
tincture, known as "Cramp Bark", to alleviate painful menstrual cramps. Its
homoeopathic remedy is made from the fresh bark, for a cardiac tonic and
cardiovascular muscle relaxant.
Also used, sometimes as a tea, for a herbal
medicine to treat cramps, swollen glands and asthma, guelder rose is
anti-spasmodic, and good for colic, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, as
well as the physical symptoms of nervous tension, spasms and debility. A red dye
is obtained from the fruit and can be made from the dried berries, while the
wood can be used to make skewers.
genus viburnum; family (adoxaceae); species (viburnum opulus)