Question: I found this in Dover, New Hampshire, on the wooded path that branches off of the sledding area. The only …
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Question
I found this in Dover, New Hampshire, on the wooded path that branches off of the sledding area. The only water nearby is is a water tower at the top of the hill. My friend thought they were blueberries, but I personally have never seen blueberries clumped at the end of a branch like that. Can you help?
Answer
Dear louiseislilacs, the clusters of fruits you see belong to a species of Smilax (greenbriar). Given the long stalk to the infructescence, it is likely Smilax herbacea (a species in the genus known as "carrion-flower"). This is a native, herbaceous, and somewhat vining plant with alternate leaves and a pair of tendrils produced from the base of the leaf stalk.
