Elderberry

Common elderberry or American elder (Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis or just Sambucus canadensis) is a shrub that’s commonly found throughout most of North America. Its characteristic cream-colored flowers, or elderflowers, are often seen on the road-side in late spring and early summer.

The flowers grow in umbels, which are sort of umbrella-shaped clusters. The umbels are normally six inches or so in diameter.

Elderflower umbel and leaves

Once the elderflowers, also called elderblow, are finished, they yield to clusters of small dark purple berries that ripen mid-summer to early fall.

Elderberry trees have opposite, elongated, toothed leaflets that are three to four inches long.

Leaves, stems, bark and roots are toxic, so it’s important to be vigilant about not including any of these when processing elderberries or elderflowers. The berries, bark and leaves have been used traditionally in medicinal preparations.