Sambucus canadensis - Common Elderberry Fact Sheet

Common Elderberry Fact Sheet

Family:  Adoxaceae - Elderberry Family
Latin name:  Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
Common name:  Common elderberry

Previously classified as Sambucus canadensis - Caprifoliacea - Honeysuckle family

Leaves:
- opposite, pinnately compound
- up to a foot long
- there are 5, 7 or 9 saw toothed leaflets, each about 2-6 in long
Twigs
- White pith in stems and branches
- easy to hollow out
Fruit:
- shiny purple-black drupes with 3-5 stoney seeds
- ripen from late July into September
- borne in large clusters
- contains 3-5 small seeds
- NOTE **** I have seen many references on web that state that UNRIPE fruits are toxic. Many also recommend cooking fruits before eating.

Top of Page

Please ask for permission before using this site's photographs.
Send email to KarenW (at) treetopics.com

Any permission granted at our sole discretion will be subject to a
clear credit to TreeTopics.com and a link to the relevant page of our site.

TreeTopics.com Home Page