Cranberry bush Viburnum Opulus – a new plant for horticulture

Abstract

The species Viburnum opulus L. (European cranberry bush) is widely used in traditional and folk medicine. Preparations of its bark and fruits exhibit hypotensive, cardiotonic, calming, spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory properties [Jordheim et al., 2006; Osipova, 2001]. Flowers, bark and leaves are an important medicinal raw material because of a high content of tannins, carotenoids, isovalerianic acid, saponins, and glycosides [Lobstein et al., 2003]. Moreover, fruit of these species could be a valuable dietary product as well as a source for the production of food supplements. The aim of this study was to estimate the productivity, fruiting properties and assess the amounts of some biologically active substances of Viburnum opulus accessions as well as to select the most prospective potential donors for breeding.[...]