Came across this yesterday

Dogwood sprang to mind but the stem didn't look right.

 

Hi Ziggy.

Is it an Elder?

 

Hi gcc,

Not an Elder as the berries are whorled round the stems rather than being bourne on a corymb.

 

Leaf shape correct for Cornus.

That is a big one.
With black berries it could be Cornus sanguineus. Except here the leaves are now a beautiful red. So guess it must be another Cornus sp.

Elder/ Sambucus have pinnate leaves so that can be ruled out.

 

Ziggy, if ever in doubt about Cornus, take a leaf and ever so gently tear/ break it across the middle. May not work in the autumn when leaves are about to fall.

Cornus leaves have a sort of latex and you will see that the leaf is suspended at the tear on silken threads.
See image here...

Redirect Notice

http://www.landscapejuice.com/2007/09/how-to-identify.html

 

There's one of those about 10 mins walk away and I haven't found out what it is either.

 

Cheers Silver Surfer, that leaf certainly looks the right one.

I wasn't too far off with Dogwood then?

Just torn the leaf but its been in my pocket for a day & sat on the scanner all afternoon, so too dry.

 

Not sure if it is dogwood.
I think what you have there could be Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

 

Of course Trunky:DOH:

Purging Buckthorn:DOH:

Purge the Soul, make love your goal

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