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Project Noah Nature School
Sambucus racemosa
A tree-like shrub, some 5 to 6 meters tall and seen from far away thanks to flashes of bright red grapes (panicles) of fruit (drupes). The leaf is composed of five to seven large leaflets, each leaflet some 15 cm long and irregularly serrated. (I didn't try this but the Wikipedia says leaflets have a strong disagreeable odor when crushed).
Montane habitats, edges of coniferous forest almost on the roof of Jura range.
Fruits are reportedly mildly toxic when consumed raw (provoking nausea and vomiting); also reportedly edible when cooked. A red jelly made of the juice (extracted from previously cooked berries) of these berries is particularly appreciated; or used in mixture with other wild fruits in jams.
Spotted on Aug 6, 2019
Submitted on Aug 14, 2019
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