Red-Berried Elder

Description:

Although easily confused with common elder, the red-berried elder has much larger buds and stouter twigs. It tends to be somewhat taller and stockier, growing up to 12 feet (3.7 m) high. Small, creamy flowers give way to cone-shaped clusters of small scarlet berries in June and July. Fruit is thought to be poisonous. Bark is light brown and covered with what appear to be warts. Buds are opposite and the largest of all our native shrubs.