Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis

42.14261246, -87.78713226

42.14468765, -87.78531647

42.14470291, -87.78528595

42.14470673, -87.78533173

42.14471436, -87.78530121

42.14474487, -87.78530884

42.14475632, -87.78527832

42.14477158, -87.78528595

42.14840317, -87.79241943

42.14845276, -87.7922287

42.14904022, -87.78713989

42.15103531, -87.79367065

42.15125275, -87.79397583

American Elderberry

The American elderberry is an attractive and useful plant whose only vice is the tendency to send out runners and pop up where you didn't plant it. This is a large shrub, 8-10' tall, with branches that start out upright and arch outward. The leaves are compound with usually 7 toothed leaflets. The light brown stems are covered with warty lenticels. The leaves and stems are mildly toxic. Large flat clusters of white flowers open in late June and July, followed by tiny black berries, relished by birds. The fruit is not palatable eaten fresh, but rather is turned into jelly or elderberry wine. It has also been used in cough syrup and other tonics. This woodland species is native throughout most of North America and into Central America, except in the mountainous regions of the west where the red elderberry is more common. It is closely related to the European elderberry.

Soil:
Moist
Plant Shape:
Upright
Exposure:
Full Sun
Bloom Time:
May - June
July - August
Bloom Color:
White
Landscape Use:
Bedding or Border
Wildlife Interest:
Attracts Birds
Attracts Butterflies
Native to Midwest
Plant Type:
Shrub
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9