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ID help please - red berries

 
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Mithril



Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex
PostPosted: Sat Oct 08, 11 8:58 pm    Post subject: ID help please - red berries Reply with quote
    

My gut instinct tells me these are probably not edible (something about the shade of red is rather off putting). However, I'm curious to know what they are. Does anyone know?

https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315364_2212430105033_1075923325_2526879_1620029420_n.jpg

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Sat Oct 08, 11 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Maybe guelder rose?

Mithril



Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex
PostPosted: Sat Oct 08, 11 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've got a guelder rose in the garden and these seem fleshier, and I don't remember them being that odd colour.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Not the best photo but I agree with Jamanda.
Almost certain it's guelder rose.
A photo of the leaf as well as the fruit & dimensions (tree, shrub,ground cover) helps a great deal in IDing plants.

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 10:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I agree too. Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) although possibly not a massively healthy specimen as it's rather pale. Edible when cooked but the smell they give off during the process is... well, frankly nasty.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 11:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

hedgehogpie wrote:
I agree too. Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) although possibly not a massively healthy specimen as it's rather pale. Edible when cooked but the smell they give off during the process is... well, frankly nasty.


Maybe it's pale because it's not completely ripe?

mochyn



Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 12:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There are cultivars of V. opulus with berries which aren't red. I have a lovely gold one, and that almost flourescent pink certainly isn't unusual.

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That's a good point Mochyn, it does have a rather golden hue. Perhaps it's a cultivar.

mochyn



Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think colour variatons can arise naturally.

Mithril



Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Posts: 1755
Location: wessex
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, now I look the leaves are similar. I guess it is a cultivar - the photo is not great, but the berries really are that bright - almost luminous.

(The ones on my tree are more like the colour of the hips in the background).

hedgehogpie



Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent
PostPosted: Sun Oct 09, 11 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Guelder Rose berries are a bit weird actually. From being quite opaque when unripe, they get clearer and ever more jewel like as they mature which I think is why - apart from the leaves being superficially similar - they are sometimes mistaken for redcurrants (I jest not). Sadly, they don't taste like them.

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