Geograph - photograph every grid square

The plant is usually found on chalky soils especially in the south of England. The 12’ upright suckering shrub produces pungent lowers in June followed by shiny black inedible berries. The deciduous leaves turn wine-red in autumn.

Children made ‘musical instruments’ from the leaves; pulling the leaf slowly from each end, leaving a number of elastic tissues joining the two pieces, then twanging them.