Wild Viburnum Berries

Berries on a Guelder Rose, Viburnum opulus, at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve on 14 August 2011.

Viburnums are common garden shrubs in this part of Britain, and there are also two wild species which are widespread on chalky ground, often in hedgerows. They are commonly known as the Guelder Rose and the Wayfaring-Tree.

Autumn is nearly here, and like many other species, these two are displaying their berries. You can also see a bramble (Rubus) winding through the Guelder Rose, with ripe and unripe blackberries. There is also a stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, which suggests one should take care in harvesting these fruits. And, although blackberries are sweet and good to eat, Guelder Rose berries are acidic and midly toxic; Wayfaring-Tree berries more so.

The Wayfaring-Tree below was a large and healthy specimen. The berries do not all ripen together, even on the same cluster, and this makes an attractive display.

Berries of the Wayfaring-Tree, Viburnum lantana, in Lullingstone Country Park on 13 August 2011.