American black elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

The American black elderberry is a bushy plant with beautiful clusters of white flowers and dark berries. It grows in many places and is loved by birds and butterflies!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The American black elderberry has large, flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers that mature into drooping bunches of dark purple, nearly black berries. Its distinct compound leaves are typically bright green with serrated edges, adding a lush texture to its shrubby form.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyViburnaceaeGenusSambucus

American black elderberry

Interesting facts

Its hollow stems were historically used by indigenous peoples to make flutes!

Raw elderberries can upset your tummy, so always cook them first!

The berries get their deep purple color from powerful natural pigments!

Tiny elderberry flowers can be used to make delicious, fizzy drinks!

Special abilities

American black elderberry produces abundant, nutritious berries that attract birds, helping it spread seeds far and wide.

American black elderberry can thrive in moist, even swampy soils, allowing it to colonize diverse watery habitats.

American black elderberry can grow quickly and resprout vigorously after pruning or disturbance, ensuring its survival.

Measurements & details

Height: 200-600 cm
Spread: 150-300 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

eaten by

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

consumes its ripe berries

eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses its leaves and twigs

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.