Elderberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Growing at the east end of my house, east of El Dorado. You see a lot of these
growing along the roadsides in Union County. We used to have a lot
in our back
yard and my wife, Janet, made elderberry jelly from their berries.
May
Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
Growing on the north side of my house, east of El Dorado. People eat the new shoots of these plants (poke salad) but some say the more mature plants are poisonous. However, the one in the left picture has been eaten by deer (you can see a pruned stem right in the middle of the picture). Birds eat the purple berries (then make messes on your car or sidewalk.)
May
Rose Mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos
Along Rt 167 just south of the Rt 7 intersection. This also comes in a pink variety.
El Dorado. June
