American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
The American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a deciduous fruiting shrub native to eastern North America, belonging to the family Adoxaceae. It is one of the most widely recognized elderberry species on the continent, prized for its clusters of dark purple-black berries and its long history of use in food, medicine, and folklore.
• A multi-stemmed, suckering shrub typically reaching 1.5–3.5 m (5–12 ft) in height
• Produces large, flat-topped clusters (corymbs) of small white flowers in early to mid-summer
• Followed by drooping clusters of dark purple to blackish drupes in late summer to early autumn
• Closely related to the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra), but distinguished by certain morphological and ecological traits
• Has been cultivated and wild-harvested for centuries by Indigenous peoples and settlers alike
• Thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3–9
• Center of natural distribution lies in the deciduous forest regions of the eastern United States
• Commonly found along stream banks, wet meadows, roadsides, woodland edges, and disturbed areas
• The genus Sambucus comprises approximately 20–30 species worldwide, distributed across temperate and subtropical regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
• Fossil evidence suggests the family Adoxaceae has ancient origins, with related lineages traceable to the late Cretaceous period
Stems & Bark:
• Multi-stemmed, forming dense thickets through basal suckering
• Young stems are green with prominent lenticels; mature bark becomes gray-brown and slightly furrowed
• Stems are relatively soft and pithy, with a large, spongy white pith in the center
Leaves:
• Opposite, pinnately compound with 5–11 (typically 5–7) leaflets
• Leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, 5–15 cm long, with serrated margins
• Dark green above, paler beneath; emerge in early spring
Flowers:
• Borne in large, flat-topped to slightly convex corymbs, 10–25 cm across
• Individual flowers are small (~5 mm diameter), white to cream-colored, with five petals and five stamens
• Bloom period typically June to July depending on latitude
• Flowers are hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated, attracting a wide variety of pollinators including bees, flies, and beetles
Fruit:
• Small, round drupes approximately 3–5 mm in diameter
• Ripen from green to deep purple-black, often with a whitish bloom (waxy coating)
• Each fruit contains 3–5 small seeds (nutlets)
• Fruits hang in drooping to slightly upright clusters
• A mature shrub can produce several kilograms of fruit per season
Habitat Preferences:
• Prefers moist, fertile soils with good drainage; commonly found along stream banks, floodplains, wet meadows, and woodland margins
• Tolerates periodic flooding and poorly drained soils
• Frequently colonizes disturbed sites, roadsides, fence rows, and forest clearings
• Grows in full sun to partial shade, though fruit production is best in full sun
Wildlife Value:
• Berries are an important food source for over 50 species of birds, including cedar waxwings, robins, thrushes, and grosbeaks
• Mammals such as raccoons, squirrels, and bears also consume the fruit
• Flowers provide nectar and pollen for numerous pollinator species
• Dense thickets offer nesting habitat and cover for birds and small mammals
• Serves as a larval host plant for several moth species
Reproduction:
• Primarily insect-pollinated; a wide variety of generalist pollinators visit the flowers
• Seeds are dispersed primarily by birds and mammals that consume the fruit
• Also spreads vegetatively through root suckers, forming clonal colonies
• Seeds require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy
Macronutrient Profile (per 100 g raw berries):
• Calories: approximately 73 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~18.4 g
• Dietary fiber: ~7 g
• Protein: ~0.7 g
• Fat: ~0.5 g
Vitamins & Minerals:
• Vitamin C: approximately 36–60 mg (40–67% of daily value)
• Vitamin A: significant levels as beta-carotene (~600 IU per 100 g)
• B vitamins: including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and B6
• Potassium: ~280 mg per 100 g
• Iron: ~1.6 mg per 100 g
• Calcium: ~38 mg per 100 g
Phytochemicals:
• Rich in anthocyanins (particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside), which give the berries their deep purple color
• Contains flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin
• Contains phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid
• These compounds contribute to the berries' high antioxidant capacity, as measured by ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assays
• Raw berries contain sambunigrin, a cyanogenic glycoside that can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized
• Consumption of large quantities of raw berries may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea
• Leaves, stems, bark, and roots contain higher concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides and are considered toxic
• Cooking or drying the berries effectively degrades sambunigrin and eliminates the risk of cyanide-related toxicity
• No cases of serious poisoning have been reported from properly prepared elderberry products
Light:
• Performs best in full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight) for maximum fruit production
• Tolerates partial shade but with reduced flowering and fruiting
Soil:
• Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5–6.5
• Tolerates a range of soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils
• Benefits from organic matter amendments
Watering:
• Requires consistent moisture, especially during fruit development
• Tolerates wet soils and periodic flooding better than many fruit crops
• Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress competing vegetation
Temperature:
• Hardy in USDA zones 3–9
• Requires a period of winter chilling for proper dormancy and fruit set
• Late spring frosts can damage emerging flowers and reduce yields
Propagation:
• Softwood or hardwood cuttings (most common for cultivars)
• Root suckers and division
• Seed (requires cold stratification of 2–3 months at 1–5°C)
Pruning:
• Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins
• Remove dead, damaged, or unproductive stems
• Fruit is produced on both one-year-old and two-year-old wood, though one-year-old wood typically produces the best yields
• Can be cut back hard every few years to rejuvenate the plant
Common Problems:
• Birds consuming fruit before harvest (netting may be necessary)
• Powdery mildew in humid conditions
• Cane borers and other insect pests
• Viruses (including elderberry latent virus) can reduce vigor and yield in some plantings
Culinary Uses:
• Berries are widely used in jams, jellies, syrups, pies, and wines
• Elderberry syrup is a popular preparation, particularly during cold and winter seasons
• Flowers are used to make elderflower cordial, fritters, and infused beverages
• Commercial elderberry products include juice concentrates, gummies, lozenges, and dietary supplements
Traditional & Herbal Medicine:
• Indigenous peoples of North America used elderberry preparations for a wide range of ailments, including fevers, rheumatism, and infections
• European settlers adopted elderberry into their folk medicine traditions
• Modern research has investigated elderberry extracts for potential immune-modulating and antiviral properties
• Several clinical studies have examined elderberry supplementation for reducing the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms
Other Uses:
• Stems have historically been used to make whistles, flutes, and spinners (the soft pith is easily hollowed out)
• Berries yield a natural purple dye
• Increasingly planted in agroforestry systems, pollinator gardens, and wildlife habitat restoration projects
• Popular as an ornamental landscape shrub for its showy flowers, attractive fruit, and fall foliage
Fun Fact
Elderberry holds a special place in European and North American folklore, often regarded as a plant of both great power and great mystery. • In European tradition, the elder tree was believed to be inhabited by the "Elder Mother" (Hylde Moer in Danish folklore), a guardian spirit who would bring misfortune to anyone who cut down the tree without asking permission • The ancient Greeks and Romans used elder branches to make musical instruments; the genus name Sambucus is derived from the Greek "sambuke," a type of stringed instrument • In the famous Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), the French taunter identifies King Arthur by his knowledge that "the swallow may fly south with the sun, and the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land" — but the film's comedic genius aside, elder has long been woven into the cultural fabric of the Western world Elderberry's Superfood Status: • The global elderberry market has grown significantly in the 21st century, driven by consumer interest in natural health products • The United States has seen a dramatic expansion of commercial elderberry cultivation since the early 2000s, with Missouri emerging as a leading production state • A single healthy American elderberry shrub can produce 6–12 pounds (2.7–5.4 kg) of fruit per year Ecological Powerhouse: • Elderberry's ecological value is difficult to overstate — a single planting can support dozens of pollinator species, provide food for over 50 bird species, and offer nesting habitat for songbirds • Its ability to colonize disturbed areas and spread via root suckers makes it an excellent pioneer species for ecological restoration projects
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