Viburnum opulus L. - Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae) \\ 
crampbark, European cranberry bush, guelder-rose, snowball tree, **Gemeiner Schneeball**

Europe, West Asia, North Africa: Deciduous shrub, 1.50-3m high; leaves 3-5-lobed, green on both sides, red in autumn; fruit bright red.

"The fruit is edible in small quantities, with a very acidic taste; it can be used to make jelly. It is however very mildly toxic, and may cause vomiting or diarrhea if eaten in large amounts. The term cramp bark is related to the properties of the bark's ability to reduce smooth muscle tightness. It is called cramp bark as relieving this type of muscle tightness is most often associated with relieving women's menstrual (period) cramps. However, this can also be used during pregnancy for cramps or pain and general muscle cramping." [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_opulus]]

Various parts of V.opulus contain salicin: fruits (1.26%), branches (1.25%), leaves (0.9%)  \\
and also chlorogenic acid: fruits (1.24%), branches (0.35%), leaves (0.68%). \\
[HPLC method for the analysis of salicin and chlorogenic acid from Viburnum opulus and V. lantana., Levent Altun, M., Yilmaz, B.S., Chemistry of Natural Compounds, 43(2), 205-207, 2007]

{{:viburnum_opulus.jpg?500}} \\
Masclef, A., Atlas des plantes de France, vol.2 t.151 (1890) \\
[[http://plantgenera.org/species.php?id_species=1060166]]

{{:dsc01020k.jpg?800|}} \\
Viburnum opulus flowers, [[https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/|CC BY-SA 3.0]], Author: Andreas Kraska