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

Elderberry, American elderberry, common elderberry, black elderberry, American black elderberry

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.

Plants: 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: 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.”

Flowers: 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.

Fruits: A dark purple to black berry 1/16–3/16″ (3–5 mm) diameter, produced in copious drooping clusters in the fall.

Habitats: Streams, marshes, moist forests, and disturbed areas.

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.

Some elderberries.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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