E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Guelder Rose
is the Rose de Gueldre, i.e. of the ancient province of Guelder or Guelderland, in Holland.
1
But Smith, in his English Flora, says it is a corruption of Elder Rose, that is, the Rose Elder, the tree being considered a species of Elder, and hence called the “Water Elder.”
