This flower-head is growing on
SJ8855 : Guelder Rose on Greenway Bank Country Park. Although the central, fertile, flowers are not yet out, the infertile outer ones are fully open.
The Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) is also known as Dogberry or Water Elder. A native to Britain, it will grow to an average height of 4 metres. Although it prefers damp areas such as riversides, fens and scrubland, it will also grow in woods and old hedges. The scented, five-petalled flowers appear in May to July and are arranged in tight, flat, clusters that have small, creamy-yellow, fertile flowers in the centre which are surrounded by larger, infertile, white flowers. The inner flowers then develop into clusters of drooping, juicy red berries in autumn. The flowers provide nectar for hover-flies and the berries attract birds. The leaves, bark and berries are all poisonous to humans, although the berries are edible when cooked.