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Small red berries, soft and breakable. Growing on a bush or shrub with small tendrils wrapped around the branches. Could not tell if these were from the same plant
Growing beside the trail in the sun before entering the woods
Loch raven reservoir
I don't think it's a spicebush.... the leaves seem a bit too "long" , and the berries do seem too round and translucent. I remember spicebush berries as being deep blood-red, and slightly oval. Only a bit "squishy". I think they prefer being in shady areas too, although I have seen them in patchy sun along trails like this one is. But RiverValleyRunner is right - the one sure way to tell is by the smell. The leaves, if you tear it, will have a delicious, almost citrus-y smell, and the berries have a wonderful strong citrus smell, with a firm, almost meaty texture. (They are edible when dried, and are absolutely essential for a good fresh venison stew... The Susquehannock and Conestoga Indians would use them. Sorta like allspice. )
The berries don't look right for spice bush. I feel like they were too spherical and squishy
The berries make me think it could be a spice bush, scrape off a little of the stem and sniff it, if it has a really distinct, aromatic smell than that's probably it!
Spotted on Sep 27, 2012
Submitted on Sep 28, 2012
