plant id - tree of heaven? - Ask Extension
I came across this tree growing in the woods. I thought it was possibly tree of heaven, but the purple flower buds aren't right. I know it's an inva...
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plant id - tree of heaven? #864538
Asked April 14, 2024, 11:05 PM EDT
I came across this tree growing in the woods. I thought it was possibly tree of heaven, but the purple flower buds aren't right. I know it's an invasive non native.
Medina County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello,
I ran this by several extension educators and volunteers and, based on the photos alone, it has been identified as RED ELDERBERRY and is a native shrub. When the flower buds are still closed, as they are in the photo, they are pinkish-purple but the flower should bloom white.
Check out the factsheets below for more information and see if that aligns with what you are seeing. If you're not sure, we would need additional photos or you can bring in a cut branch to your county extension office for further identification when it leafs out.
https://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-shrubs-red-elderberry-sambucus-racemosa-l-var-racemosa.html#:~:text=When%20closed%2C%20the%20flower%20buds,buds%20appear%20in%20early%20May.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-racemosa-subsp-pubens/
I ran this by several extension educators and volunteers and, based on the photos alone, it has been identified as RED ELDERBERRY and is a native shrub. When the flower buds are still closed, as they are in the photo, they are pinkish-purple but the flower should bloom white.
Check out the factsheets below for more information and see if that aligns with what you are seeing. If you're not sure, we would need additional photos or you can bring in a cut branch to your county extension office for further identification when it leafs out.
https://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-shrubs-red-elderberry-sambucus-racemosa-l-var-racemosa.html#:~:text=When%20closed%2C%20the%20flower%20buds,buds%20appear%20in%20early%20May.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-racemosa-subsp-pubens/
