Question: I wonder if this plant is the red berried elder. It started growing years ago, under a bird feeder and …
-
Question
I wonder if this plant is the red berried elder. It started growing years ago, under a bird feeder and right next to the house. It had little white flowers and red berries at one point, but I had to cut it back since the wood was rotting on the house. I was thinking of moving it, but if I have IDed it correctly, one article said it was "short lived." is this a red berried elder, and what do you know about this plants longevity? Thanks.
Answer
Dear CarolinChesterfield, the plant you have photographed is not red elderberry (Sambcus racemosa), a species with pinnately compound leaves (the plant in the image has simple leaves). Based on the leaf arrangement and ridges on the branches, it appears to be Euonymus alatus (winged spindle-tree), a non-native and somewhat invasive species. Best wishes.
