A service forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is warning about an invasive shrub that can be deadly if ingested.

William Thomas spotted black jetbead growing near a parking lot for the Owl Creek reservoirs.

It was the first time he saw the ornamental shrub growing in Schuylkill County, although he has seen it elsewhere.

The shrub sports four-petaled white flowers in late spring and early summer, then develops shiny black fruits.

“Black jetbead is concerning because it is an invasive species that rapidly spreads into forest understory,” Thomas said.

Deer and other native herbivores do not eat jetbead leaves and twigs, and that gives the shrub a competitive advantage, Thomas said.

“The same could be said for other invasive plants, but black jetbead is also highly toxic. If the fruit of black jetbead is eaten, it can cause difficult breathing, vomiting, convulsions, and may be fatal,” Thomas said.

He noted that people might think about potential dangers associated with the outdoors — things like slips-and-falls or tickborne illnesses. They often don’t think about the serious harm that can be caused by ingesting plants.

“My main concern about black jetbead is that hikers, bikes, and particularly children are not aware of the risk a few berries could pose” if eaten, Thomas said.

He also encouraged pet owners to make sure their dogs don’t consume the plant or its berries, which appear in groups of four in the fall and last throughout the winter months.

According to information from DCNR, black jetbead is native to China, Korea and Japan, and was introduced to the United States in 1866 as an ornamental. Its range encompasses 17 states.