186 



BuLIvETlN 145 



RED-BEKRiED ULDKR. Sanibucits racemosa L. 



This is a smaller bush than the preceding;, three to seven 

 feet being its general range of height. The stem is more woody 

 than that of the common elder, and the leaflets are downy un- 

 derneath instead of being smooth. Otherwise the two species 

 bear a sfeneral resemblance in stem and leaf characters, but 



Red-berried Elder. 

 Fruiting branch, X ^2- 



the difference between the two is well marked in both flower and 

 fruit as indicated in the key above. The red berries ripening in 

 June form a striking contrast to the green foliage and they 

 are soon stripped off by the birds. The berries are not poison- 

 ous as is sometimes claimed, but they are repugnant to the taste 

 and no use is made of them. Nearly all parts of the plant have 

 been used in compounding herb medicines, but to-day the flower 

 buds alone are recognized by the pharmacopea as of medicinal 

 value. 



