mountain ash is not related to ash trees at all but to roses. and like rose hips that glow in the underbrush all winter long, mountain ash berries usually hang on almost until spring, brightening the north woods with their clusters, which become increasingly alcoholic, and occasionally send songbirds on an unintended bender. or, who knows, maybe an intentional bender. wouldn’t you want a little nip after spending a minnesota winter outdoors?

mountain ash limb ( s. aucuparia)

minneapolis, minnesota