Canada Elderberry, Sambucus nigra L. ssp canadensis, Native Minnesota Wildflower shrub, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, american elder, Elderberry

( American Black Elderberry, American Elder,). A large growing shrub that only comes into flower in mid-June and can still be flowering until late July. Flowers are very small, occurring in umbels that are dense and somewhat flat-topped, but quite wide - up to 8". The first flowers don't occur until the Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) has already set fruit that is turning red. The fruits, which eventually turn purplish-black, are edible once they have been boiled. Sap from the pith of stems and the bark itself is very toxic, containing calcium oxalate crystals, viburnic acid and a resin. Leaves are opposite, pinnate with 2 to 4 opposite pairs of leaflets and one terminal leaflet, all with serrate edges. Stems can reach up to 10 feet high; the plant spreads by suckering. The genus name, Sambucus, refers to a Greek musical instrument, the sambuke, made from elderwood as the stems can be easily hollowed out to make flutes and other instruments. The elder Pliny makes reference to this. The species name nigra refers to the dark color of the mature berries. The old species and new subspecies name canadensis refers to "of Canada." The plant is also native to Europe and the word "elder" derives from the Anglo-Saxon "aeld." The plant is found in moist sunny spots and in the countryside is frequently seen along the edges of woodlands. There is considerable literature on the uses of this plant. See the lore section below.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Canada Elderberry	Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) R. Bolli Old - Sambucus canadensis L.	Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)	Woodland	Early summer
Other names and notes	( American Black Elderberry, American Elder,). A large growing shrub that only comes into flower in mid-June and can still be flowering until late July. Flowers are very small, occurring in umbels that are dense and somewhat flat-topped, but quite wide - up to 8". The first flowers don't occur until the Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) has already set fruit that is turning red. The fruits, which eventually turn purplish-black, are edible once they have been boiled. Sap from the pith of stems and the bark itself is very toxic, containing calcium oxalate crystals, viburnic acid and a resin. Leaves are opposite, pinnate with 2 to 4 opposite pairs of leaflets and one terminal leaflet, all with serrate edges. Stems can reach up to 10 feet high; the plant spreads by suckering. The genus name, Sambucus, refers to a Greek musical instrument, the sambuke, made from elderwood as the stems can be easily hollowed out to make flutes and other instruments. The elder Pliny makes reference to this. The species name nigra refers to the dark color of the mature berries. The old species and new subspecies name canadensis refers to "of Canada." The plant is also native to Europe and the word "elder" derives from the Anglo-Saxon "aeld." The plant is found in moist sunny spots and in the countryside is frequently seen along the edges of woodlands. There is considerable literature on the uses of this plant. See the lore section below.