I have no idea what kind of berries these are but they are in my backyard and I love the brilliant pink color that the plant they are on has. I have seen birds land on this bush and eat the berries so they must be edible of least for birds. Anyone know what they are?
UPDATE (10-10-08): I just want to post a quick update. Thanks to a reply below I have found out what these berries are called. They are called Pokeberries also known as Inkberries. They are indeed toxic to humans but birds are immune to the effect (that would explain why I have seen many birds eating them.) According to Wikipedia a cool fact about these berries is that the United States Declaration of Independence was written using Pokeberry juice (hence the name Inkberry)! Thanks to Jeannie for the information!
Love the DOF applied here, smoothened out nicely! And the subject of the berries strikes out sharply!
Wonderful picture. The bokeh is truely addictive
So funny that you should post this today. Just this afternoon I was out photographing the same berries on the bright pink stems..and wondered what they were. The colors are amazing. Well done! And - hopefully someone will be able to tell us what it is that we’re looking at!
Ha that is funny!! Whatever they are, they must be common in this area of the country then!
I’ve never seen those berries before, so i can’t help you, i know we have a black berry bush in our backyard, but as far as i know there’s no bright pink stems, lovely picture by the way, sweet!
A beautiful picture, I really like the color and detail on this shot.
A lovely image. I’ve seen the berries growing wild in Slovakia where I live and have also found them a good photographic subject.
I don’t have a clue, but I bet I know some who will. Rachael knows plants and flowers. I love them, but rarely know the name. Whatever it is it’s beautiful and your capture is superb as always.
Sherri sent me an email about this photo, although I would have visited your blog anyway. I find your flower photography to be some of the finest. From this one branch I’m thinking it’s what’s commonly called a Chokeberry. There are many varieties, but I think this is most probably a Red Chokeberry. Does it bloom white flowers? Sometimes temperatures & soil can change the way it presents itself & also the camera & processing technique could make it different. You’ve managed to present another beautiful specimen of plants with your wonderful photography skill.
Wow thanks for all of the information Rachael! I am not sure what color the flowers are on it sadly.
I like the composition you created with the berries available. I wouldn’t have any idea as to their name…so I’ll accept Rachel’s description as fact. Nice post.
Wonderful composition and colors !
CHOKE-berry? hmm.. doesn’t sound edible to me.. but they look succulent.. lol.. nice shot & nice dof..
I think this is called “Deadly Nightshade”.
It is pretty but very poisonous.
I am still not sure its either the Chokeberry or the Deadly Nightshade because neither of them have the pink color on the stem behind the berries that this one has. Still I am grateful for all the suggestions people have had for what it could be!
Beautiful berry and great capture.
No idea what these are but by the looks of how many are left, they sure must taste good for someone
I was in Michigan this week up by Jackson, These berries are growing everywhere there. but I couldn’t find out what they were. They are a beautiful sight to behold.
I just found a website that tells us these are called pokeberries. Birds are imune to the toxins but they are poisoness to mammals. It also said it is sometimes called inkberry. The Declaration of Independence, was written in fermented pokeberry juice.
They do use it as a old medicine for arthritis pain but the FDA doesn’t approve. Interesting. Don’t remember the site but I googled (berries with pink stems)
Wow it looks like you found out what they are! After looking up Pokeberry they look exactly like these. Thank you for the info I have been wondering what they are!
[...] to a reader I have found out what the mysterious berries are that I posted about last week. Since so many people where trying to help me figure out what [...]