Guelder Rose The Guelder
Rose prefers to grow at low altitudes and in
semi-shade in Scotland and England. It is native to
the woodlands of the European deciduous forest. It
is found at the edges of woods, hedgerows and
marshes. In the United States it is found in
agricultural zones 3 to 8, which is a relatively
cool climate. It grows in both heavy clay and
acidic soil. It was first cultivated in Gelderland,
a Dutch province, then introduced to England.
The berries are bright red and attract birds that spread the seeds. The very large white outer layer of flowers also attracts pollinating insects to the inner part of the flower. Some can self-pollinate. Some species are sterile and don't have berries. It is an invasive shrub and will take over another plant's area and is able to spread out for more sunlight. Its bark is used as an herbal medicine for cramps and asthma. The berries can be used for ink. It is also used as a decorative shrub. In Canada it is used instead of cranberries. It is an importan food source for insects and birds who eat the nectar and the berries. The Guelder Rose can be an invasive shrub and therefore is definitely not threatened. It is definitely not an endangered species. by Andy K. 2002
bibliography: Photo Credit: ©Anna-Lena Anderberg Fell, Derek. Trees and Shrubs, HP Books, 1986, pg. 156. Phillips, Sue, Book of Gardening, White Cap Books, 1997. Hobhouse, Penelope. Color In Your Garden, Little, Brown, & Co, 1985, pp. 69, 101. Grieve, M., "A Modern Herbal | Guelder Rose", http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/gueros44.html (Dec. 2001). "British Native Trees and Shrubs, Guelder Rose", http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:5HPkX2chKj8C:www.nhm.ac.uk/ jubileetrees/british-native-trees/bnt-22.htm+guelder+rose&hl=en "Guelder Rose", http://doon.mayo-ireland.ie/guilder.html
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