Fauna
Plant

Guelder-rose

Viburnum opulus

Also known as Water Elder, European Cranberrybush, Snowball Tree, Cranberry Bush

Guelder-rose adorns damp woodlands and hedgerows with large lacecap clusters of snowy white flowers in early summer, framed by three-lobed leaves that turn brilliant scarlet in autumn. The outer ring of large petals is sterile, serving solely to attract pollinators to the tiny fertile blooms nestled in the center. Bright translucent red berries hang on the branches well into winter, providing a vital food source for thrushes and wintering waxwings.

DeciduousFloweringRed Berries
Guelder-rose reference1 / 7
Lestat (Jan Mehlich) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Viburnum Leaf Beetle
  • Aphids
  • Mice
ThreatsHabitat clearance, viburnum leaf beetle infestation
HabitatsDamp woodlands, scrub, hedgerows, riverbanks
Life span40–80 years
Classification
  1. OrderDipsacales
  2. FamilyViburnaceae
  3. GenusViburnum
  4. SpeciesViburnum opulus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Raw berries cause digestive upset and have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fruit.
Why it is dangerous
Berries and bark contain viburnin and saponins that cause nausea, vomiting, and cramps if consumed raw.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for maple-like three-lobed leaves, lacecap white flower clusters, and translucent red berries.
What to do
Do not consume wild berries and supervise pets around fruiting shrubs in autumn.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Blooms: Look for outer rings of larger sterile flowers that lure pollinators to central fertile blooms.
  • Autumn Foliage: Observe the three-lobed leaves turning vibrant crimson as temperatures drop in autumn.
  • Winter Birding: Watch for waxwings and thrushes feeding on bright translucent berries lingering in cold months.
Related species
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