'Albino' Elder plant?

[neferet]

Ok, there are one or two green fingered people on my f-list who know a bit about wild plants

Comments

[andabusers]

I'm sure someone at the Botanics would help you identify them, I used to get people in fairly frequently with snippets looking for IDs. You could ask one of the Rangers manning the entrances because a few of them are taking botany courses (Claire, Siobhan, Velda or Julie would probably know, assuming they still work there). Otherwise the "Contact Us" page might be fruitful (select the Horticulture department), given they have an option to upload images http://www.rbge.org.uk/contact-us

[neferet]

Thanks for the suggestion and the link :)

[ex_pipistre]

Oh, interesting. I've never heard of white elderberries, but a quick Google suggests they exist: http://www.winesathome.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3766

Maybe they're just mutants?
Could you go to the Botanics? Or what about the ranger station in Holyrood Park?
I look forward to seeing the results of your experiments!

[neferet]

I found that thread earlier as well. I know the australian 'white' elder has berries that go white or yellow, but the one's I've seen it is very much white, and not 'gooseberry', but I'm fascinated that the newbie has found something similar.

[darkstones]

The american 'poison elder' has greeny white berries, but it's not really an elder, it's from the poison ivy family. Looks similar though.

[neferet]

I see what you mean about the similarities in the berries. Thankfully all the varieties of poison elder I've looked at have smooth leaves, not serrated, and apparently they exude a milky substance (which turns black) when a stem or leaf is damaged.
I'm going to be quite fascinated to see if the botanics have an answer for me, as the berries passed the 'sink' test, suggesting they're ripe.