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As far as I know, elderberries are only red when not ripe - don't know of any that are actually red when ripened. To go back to the 'smelly' part of the strand, I was always told there were at least two kinds in this country - the ones that stink and the ones that smell nice, although there seems to be confusion about whether the ones with the whiter flowers are best! However, one source says that the flowers smell nice if picked in the morning but stink if picked in the evening.

Confusing or what?

The elder is supposed to be the witches' tree (bad look to chop them down or burn the wood in the house and all that) - perhaps their cat familiars wee in the branches at night while the old girls are flying around?

I remember years ago picking the sweetest smelling, freshest flowers and taking them home to my very small flat, where I spread them out to dry. My plan was to use them for elderflower tea to combat winter flu and cold. I spent the next week hunting for where my tomcat was going to the toilet and following him about in case I caught him in the act. The smell kept on getting stronger and I wished the flat had a cat flap, convinced he was being caught short while I was out.....

The smell turned my stomach so much that I composted the lot and bought elderflower tincture instead.

I think it is the pollen that stinks. As the flowers dried they opened and released their pollen.

Different flowers have different scents depending on which insects they want to attract. Hawthorn blossom also has a foul smell. Rotting meat?

Ron & Jean, that made me laugh I can well imagine it. It's not until it is indoors that the smell really hits you!