Canadian elderberry
Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

An upright shrub. It grows to 4 m tall. It has stout shoots. The leaves are divided along the stalk. The leaves are 30 cm long with 9 or more long leaflets which are light green and have teeth around the edge. The end leaflet is often the largest. The leaflets are 5-15 cm long and have teeth along the edge. The flowers occur in flattened panicles. The flowers are white. The flower heads can be 20 cm across. They occur in broad flat clusters. The fruit are purple-black and 5 mm across. They are edible. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There are about 25 Sambucus species. Also put in the family Sambucaceae.

Where it is found

It needs damp, rich soil. It grows along roadside ditches and stream banks. They occur in tropical America. In tropical Queensland in Australia they grow between 680-1000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 3-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The flowers can be dipped in batter and fried in oil. The flower buds are pickled and used as capers. The berries can be made into jelly. They are used in pies, jams, preserves, sauces, chutneys, vinegar, pancakes and muffins. The juice can be made into a drink and wine. The dried fruit can be used in deserts. The dried flowers are used for tea. CAUTION: The unripe fruit can cause vomiting.

Edible parts

Juice, fruit, flowers, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

American elder, White elder, Sweet elder

Synonyms

Sambucus bipinnata Schltdl. & Cham.; Sambucus caerulea var. arizonica Sarg.; Sambucus caerulea var. mexicana (C. Presl. ex DC) L. D. Benson; Sambucus mexicana C. Presl. ex DC.; Sambucus orbiculata Greene; Sambucus pubens; Sambucus canadensis L.; Sambucus simpsonii Rehder; and others