Question: I photographed this shrub in Essex County, NY (just across Lake Champlain from Vermont). I could find no evidence of …
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Question
I photographed this shrub in Essex County, NY (just across Lake Champlain from Vermont). I could find no evidence of fruiting or past inflorescence. I thought it would key out as Red-berried Elder, but my sources indicate that the terminal leaflet should be stalked; the photo shows it being sessile, or nearly so. I am unable to return to this site to check other characteristics. Thank you.
Answer
Dear hiker1203, your image actually does show a stalked terminal leaflet (just part of that petiolule is hidden by the apical-most lateral leaflets). Also, a leaf in the upper right of the image also shows a stalked terminal leaflet. While I can't confirm this plant is Sambucus racemosa, there isn't anything in the image that contradicts this hypothesis either. I hope this is helpful.
