Sambucus canadensis (American black elderberry)

American elderberry or black elder is a deciduous, somewhat sprawling, suckering shrub that grows up to 12’ tall. It thrives in moist woodlands and produces large cymes of fragrant white flowers in June, which can be fermented into elderflower wine. Black elderberry fruits appear in late summer. The ripe, dark purple fruits are used in jams, jellies, syrups, and pie fillings. Inedible parts of the plant, such as leaves, stems, roots, seeds, and unripe fruits can be toxic in lethal doses. 

American elderberry is native across much of the U.S. It is usually found in moist, edge habitat, in full or light shade. It is often on lake and pond shores, low areas along roadways, in low forest and old fields. Flowers are a nectar source, attracting bees, wasps, beetles, and butterflies. The fruit is attractive to birds and mammals that spread the seeds. Deer eat twigs and leaves. The plant provides nesting materials/structure for native bees. 

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)

Photo by Kathy Thornton

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