American Elderberry

American Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

▲ ▼ mature plants at University of Missouri Southwest Center in Mt. Vernon, MO

▲ flowers with immature fruit

▲ mature fruit

▲ ▼ pinnately-compound leaves

Location on campus: in small triangle bed between Siceluff and Cheek Halls, along sidewalk that runs south of those two buildings

Sambucus canadensis: American Elderberry

• leaves opposite, pinnately compound, with lanceolate, toothed leaflets 2-4 inches long and 1/2 as wide
• stems yellow-gray to gray, thick, often bending over at maturity; grows 5-12 feet tall
• flowers a cyme of creamy white flowers in early summer, followed by dark purple fruit (elderberries)
• fruit is edible for wildlife and can be made into juice, jelly and wine
• native to Missouri