I am new to identification but want to make my own elderberry syrup. My friend sent me this pic wondering if they are elderberries, looks like leaves are mostly gone, but can anyone tell by looking at the berries and bark?
Is this an elderberry?
I doubt it.
Elderberry flowers are in a large cluster that is almost flat. The berries ripen in that pattern.
These berries are sort of all over the place.
Absolutely not elderberry, also not any cherry species.
Edit: Correction, above.
This message was edited Nov 7, 2014 9:58 PM
If your friend can find some leaves, even if they are in sad shape, have her (him?) Spread out the leaves on a sheet of paper. Perhaps there is a way to see the shape of them.
Also, a picture of lower down on the plant, where the leaves were growing. If we can see how the buds are arranged that can help, too.
Prunus virginiana? It would be easier to tell with leaves visible.
Yes, it could well be chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, which would be common there... odd that the leaves were gone that early.
Not an Elderberry, most likely Aronia - Chokeberry. Despite the name you can use the berries in much the same way. If the leaves are smallish and oval when they come in the Spring, it's a Chokeberry. Elderberries have bigger somewhat pinnate leaves.
The form of the inflorescence (now berry cluster) shows clearly that it's Prunus virginiana, chokecherry, not Aronia, chokecherry. Chokecherry has racemes while chokeberry has umbels compound cymes.
Aside from the physical characteristics that confirm the ID, chokecherry is very commonly planted in Saskatoon, as well as being a native species. I'm sure a few people are growing Aronia melanocarpa there, but it's marginally hardy here (also zone 3) and only achieves bush size - good fall colour though.
This message was edited Nov 30, 2014 8:06 PM
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