Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
Photo: Lestat (Jan Mehlich), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 2 countries shrub symbol: Ukraine

Guelder rose

Viburnum opulus

Family: Viburnaceae

On our map this plant appears in 2 countries and ranks highest in: Ukraine, Russia.

A shrub growing to 3–4 m, with lobed leaves resembling those of a maple. In June it produces flat white flower clusters in which large, sterile outer flowers lure insects to the small fertile flowers in the middle. In autumn it ripens glossy, red, slightly bitter berries, which mellow after frost and often stay on the branches all winter. It grows in damp thickets, floodplain woods and at forest edges. The berries are used for kissel, preserves and liqueurs, and the bark in herbal medicine.

Description from: Ukraine.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Ukraine no. 1 of 10 native

    National symbol of Ukraine

    In Ukrainian folklore the kalyna symbolises maidenly beauty, family lineage and the homeland – it adorns wedding wreaths, embroidery and pysanky (decorated Easter eggs).

  2. Russia no. 10 of 15 native

    The guelder rose is one of the most important plant motifs in Russian folklore – from wedding songs to Ivan Larionov’s famous “Kalinka” of 1860. “Kalina krasnaya” (The Red Snowball Tree) is also the title of Vasily Shukshin’s acclaimed…