Hi all, Ive had this plant for several years and it keeps spreading. Its in my back yard and I really like it. When I try to identify it as a elder the only thing that gets me is the amount of leaves a stem has compared to what google says it should have. Can someone help with identification? I also have wild poke but i try to keep it all dug up. I'm in south central PA.

hi wire,

welcome to permies


I would try looking up Sumac species

http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=24258

there are several types found in Pa

This is not the poisonous kind correct? Ive been in these bushes, well they look like trees now and haven't got a reaction from touching them and I'm really sensitive to poison ivy.

Poison Sumac grows white berries, the two red types I'm familiar with are Staghorn Sumac and Smooth Sumac, both of which are actually semi-edible [with the acid from the surface of the berries used to flavor a pseudo-lemonade of sorts] to those who don't have an allergy to the plants.

Same family as Poison Sumac, Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Cashew.

Kyrt Ryder wrote:Poison Sumac grows white berries, the two red types I'm familiar with are Staghorn Sumac and Smooth Sumac, both of which are actually semi-edible [with the acid from the surface of the berries used to flavor a pseudo-lemonade of sorts] to those who don't have an allergy to the plants.

Same family as Poison Sumac, Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and Cashew.

Thanks Kyrt. I'm glad I found out because this is really growing in my "back 40". Learn something new everyday as I was thinking elderberry. I knew something didn't add up though as there where to many leaves. Excuse my ignorance and Thanks a lot.