Berry ids please

[RobinP]

A few photos I took yesterday:


















Think I know what most of them are but would appreciate confirmation

[Lance Morgan]

1. Laurel (Bay)
2. Sloe (Blackthorn)
3. Hawthorn (Haws)
4. Blackberry (Bramble)
5. Hawthorn (Haws)
6. Field Rose (Hips)
7. Elder (Berry)
8. Pyracantha (Firethorn)

[RobinP]

Thanks Lance

I didn't know the first one (laurel) but could get the rest

[thunder]

Judging by the leaves, which appear shiny, and the berries, arranged in spikes. I'd say Number 1 was Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Do not use this plant in cooking!

henrya

[Estwing]

Hi, The "Cherries" and leaves of the Cherry Laurel contain Prussic acid. Toxic to humans but animals and birds find them delicious. Just this week I found some Fox faeces which was packed with the seeds....

Cheers
Al

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Estwing

Hi, The "Cherries" and leaves of the Cherry Laurel contain Prussic acid. Toxic to humans but animals and birds find them delicious. Just this week I found some Fox faeces which was packed with the seeds....

Cheers
Al

According to the interweb, the flesh of the 'cherries' is 'safe', it is only the seeds that contain prussic acid, so if you don't chew the seeds, you don't get a dose of cyanide. But, given that cyanide is such toxic stuff, it would be safer not to take any risks. But it explains how the Fox survived!

henrya

[Estwing]

Hi, Yeah, I thought it was something like that...
I don't think I'll be making any jam with them though!

Just to demonstrate the level of toxicity, the crushed leaves were used in killing jars by butterfly collectors.
Cheers,
Al

[thunder]

Quote
I don't think I'll be making any jam with them though!
Endquote

Nor me, though I have a book somewhere that tells of using them to make a liqueur (along the lines of sloe gin, I seem to remember)

Quote
Just to demonstrate the level of toxicity, the crushed leaves were used in killing jars by butterfly collectors.
Endquote

And still are, I think. There are tales on the interweb of tree-surgeons being made ill by the fumes after chipping Cherry Laurel wood.

A plant to admire from a distance

henrya

[Estwing]

Originally Posted by thunder

There are tales on the interweb of tree-surgeons being made ill by the fumes after chipping Cherry Laurel wood.

Thanks Henry, I'll keep that in mind, I expect I'll be doing that one day.

Cheers
Al

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Estwing

Hi, Yeah, I thought it was something like that...
I don't think I'll be making any jam with them though!

Just to demonstrate the level of toxicity, the crushed leaves were used in killing jars by butterfly collectors.
Cheers,
Al

A jar of jam for the mother-in-law would be nice

BK