Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) R. Bolli

Elderberry, American elderberry, common elderberry, black elderberry

About plant names...

Common elderberry is a North American native shrub. The genus Sambucus derives from the Greek sambuce, the soft styrofoam-like pith in the center the of the stems, which is removed to make musical instruments (or, for that matter, blowguns). This is somewhat ironic, given that elderberry contains enough cyanide, as well as an alkaloid called sambucine, to be poisonous in some cases. Not necessarily the best plant to put in your mouth.

Never underestimate an elderberry. A shrub in our yard was undermined by a woodchuck, lying rootless on its side. We stuck it back into the ground temporarily, meaning to get rid of it. Next spring, it exploded into activity, soon reaching 8 feet in diameter. A couple of years later it was threatening to take over the entire front yard. My wife panicked and declared war on it. Now a dogwood is in the same spot, showing a similar degree of joie de vivre.

6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

8/28/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Here are some related elderberries:

	You are here Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis	Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea	Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa
Common Name	elderberry	blue elderberry	red elderberry
Plant	Forms a rounded shrub up to 15′ (4.6 m) in diameter, consisting of many stems emerging from a central point.	This woody shrub reaches heights of 20′ (6.1 m), with main branches up to 1½″ (3.8 cm) in diameter.	Rounded shrub up to 20′ (6.1 m) in diameter, consisting of many stems emerging from a central point.
Flowers	Tight umbrella-shaped clusters, white or cream-colored, about 3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) around.	White or cream-colored, in flat-topped clusters up to 6″ (15 cm) around.	Flowers form tight umbrella-shaped clusters, white with a pink tinge, about 3-5″ (7.6-12 cm) around.
Leaves	Opposite, in pinnate groups, each 1¾-6″ (5-15 cm) long and about ¾-2″ (2-6 cm) wide, with sharply serrated edges.	Opposite, in clusters of 3-9, up to 8″ (20 cm) long, and oval to lance-shaped.	Opposite, in pinnate groups, each 1¾-6″ (5-15 cm) long and about ¾-2″ (2-6 cm) wide, with sharply serrated edges.
Stem	Upright stems, composed of soft pithy wood, eventually bend into arches.	Upright branches, composed of soft pithy wood, eventually bend into arches.	Upright branches, composed of soft pithy wood, eventually bend into arches.
Fruit	Berries are shiny and black, in dense, heavy clusters, each up to ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter.	Berries are spherical, blue-black in color, with a white powdery surface that makes them look lighter.	Berries are bright red, in large, tight clusters.
Range/ Zones		USDA Zones: 4-10	USDA Zones: 3-9
Habitats		Mixed conifer forests, forest-steppe transitions, open talus slopes, at high elevations
Type	Wild	Wild	Wild

Identification: Forms a rounded shrub up to 15′ (4.6 m) in diameter, consisting of many stems emerging from a central point. Upright stems, composed of soft pithy wood, eventually bend into arches. Leaves are opposite, in pinnate groups, each 1¾-6″ (5-15 cm) long and about ¾-2″ (2-6 cm) wide, with sharply serrated edges. The leaves, flowers and branches have a disagreeable odor when crushed, smelling like "a cross between skunk cabbage and Ailanthus," according to Will Cook. Flowers form tight umbrella-shaped clusters, white or cream-colored, about 3-6″ (7.6-15 cm) around. Berries are shiny and black, in dense, heavy clusters, each up to ¼″ (6.3 mm) in diameter.

Edibility: Poisonous All parts of the plant, except for the berries, are poisonous, due to the presence of hydrocyanic acid (cyanide!), and sambucine. But the berries are prized, dried by indigenous peoples, made into jams, or pies, or eaten raw when ripe. Or into elderberry wine.

Online References:

The USDA Plants Database (PDF)

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert

6/23/2013 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 15 × 10″ (37 × 25 cm)

4/12/2015 · Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (31 × 47 cm)

7/9/2012 · Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)

6/17/2010 · Memphis, Ten­nes­see · By Tim Chandler ID is uncertain

7/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm) ID is uncertain

7/9/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 17″ (29 × 44 cm)

4/12/2015 · Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm)

7/9/2012 · Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (34 × 52 cm)

7/9/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)

6/16/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

7/9/2012 · Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 14″ (23 × 35 cm)

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

7/9/2012 · Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

7/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm) ID is uncertain

10/25/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

4/12/2015 · Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (31 × 47 cm)

6/8/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 17 × 12″ (44 × 29 cm)

6/14/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

6/14/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

6/14/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

7/9/2012 · Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 22 cm)

9/13/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

6/25/2005 · Memphis, Ten­nes­see · By Tim Chandler ID is uncertain

6/23/2013 · Rocky Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm)

9/13/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Range:

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