Chatting to people I realise not many know this southern european herbaceous relative of the Common Elder.
It has similar flowers and berries to the shrub, but with one important difference - the berries are not edible :(
It looks really good lining the roads and brightening up the ditches. The leaves are just beginning to take on autumn tints.
Philomel, that is beautiful! Do they seed? I can't quite make out the color of the blooms. Are they dk. purple, or black? I'll bet they really ARE beautiful along the roadside :)
In this picture they're the berries, which are dark, almost black - very like Sambucus nigra has. The flowers are like Sambucus nigra's too - creamy white flat heads.
They do look lovely along the verges, I think they're invasive though
Invasive maybe, but beautiful nonetheless! Thanks for the picture and info :)
Very true
My pleasure :)
;)
