Viburnum opulus is adeciduousshrub growing to 4–5 m (13–16 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite, three-lobed, 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long and broad, with a rounded base and coarsely serrated margins; they are superficially similar to the leaves of somemaples, most easily distinguished by their somewhat wrinkled surface with impressed leaf venation. The leafbuds are green, with valvate bud scales.
Thehermaphrodite flowers are white, produced incorymbs 4–11 cm (2–4 in) in diameter at the top of the stems. Each corymb comprises a ring of outer sterile flowers 1.5–2 cm (5⁄8–3⁄4 in) in diameter with conspicuous petals, surrounding a center of small (5 mm or1⁄4 in) fertile flowers. The flowers are produced in early summer and arepollinated by insects. The fruit is a globose bright reddrupe7–10 mm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) in diameter, containing a single seed. The seeds are dispersed by birds.
Its fruitpersists for an average of 200 days, and always bears 1 seed per fruit. Fruits average 88.0% water, and theirdry weight includes 17.3%carbohydrates and 1.3%lipids.[4]
The common name 'guelder rose' relates to the Dutch province ofGelderland, where a popular cultivar, the snowball tree, supposedly originated.[5] Other common names includewater elder,cramp bark,snowball tree,common snowball,[6] andEuropean cranberrybush, though this plant is not closely related to thecranberry. Some botanists also include the North American speciesViburnum trilobum asV. opulusvar.americanumAit., or asV. opulussubsp.trilobum (Marshall) Clausen.
Viburnum opulus is a member of theViburnum genus which contains 160 to 170 species. It is classified in the subsectionOpulus, which usually contains five species. Phylogenetic analyses suggest the following relationship between those species:
Viburnum opulus is grown as anornamental plant for its flowers and berries, growing best on moist, moderately alkaline soils, though tolerating most soil types well. Severalcultivars have been selected, including 'Roseum', in which all the flowers are only of the larger sterile type, with globular flower heads.
The shrub is also cultivated as a component of hedgerows, cover plantings, and as part of other naturalistic plantings in its native regions.
The fruit is edible in small quantities, with a very bitter taste; it can be used to make jelly. It is however mildly toxic, and may cause vomiting or diarrhea if eaten in large amounts.[12] The ripe fruit is often ignored by birds and avoided by humans due to a foul smell emitted when crushed, described by some as "musty socks" or "urine and vomit".[13]
The term 'cramp bark' is related to the bark's use in traditional medicine for cramps, but there is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness for this use or any other.[14]
Mentions of the viburnum can be found throughoutUkrainian folklore such as songs, decorative art, Ukrainian embroidery, and poetry.[15] Its symbolic roots can be traced to the Slavic paganism of millennia ago. According to a legend,kalyna was associated with the birth of the Universe, the so-calledFire Trinity: the Sun, the Moon, and the Star.[16][17] Its berries symbolize one's home and native land, blood, and family roots.[18][19] Kalyna is often depicted on Ukrainian embroidery:ritual cloths and shirts. InSlavic paganism kalyna also represents the beauty of a young lady, which rhymes well in the Ukrainian language:ka-ly-na – div-chy-na.[20][21][22] The song "Chervona Kalyna" was the anthem of theUkrainian Sich Riflemen[23][24] and theUkrainian Insurgent Army; along with these national liberating movements in 20th century guelder rose was established as a symbol of riflemen honor, and state independence.[25]
In Russia the Viburnum fruit is calledkalina (калина) and is commonly found in folklore.Kalina derived in Russian language fromkalit' orraskalyat', which means "to make red-hot". The red fiery color of the berries represents beauty in Russian culture and together with sweetraspberries it symbolises the passionate love of a beautiful maiden, since berries were always an erotic symbol in Russia.[26]: 149 The bitter side of the red fruit also symbolizes love separation in Russian folk culture.[27] The name of the Russian songKalinka is a diminutive ofKalina.Viburnum opulus is also an important symbol of the Russian national ornamental wood paintinghandicraft style calledKhokhloma.[citation needed]
^"AGM Plants - Ornamental"(PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 107.Archived(PDF) from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved17 February 2019.
Ehrlén, Johan; Eriksson, Ove (1991). "Phenological variation in fruit characteristics in vertebrate-dispersed plants".Oecologia.86 (4):463–470.doi:10.1007/BF00318311.ISSN0029-8549.PMID28313326.
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