Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Common Elderberry
(American Black Elderberry)
Sambucus nigra canadensis [C-value 1]
Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae)
Blooms
mid-June -
August
The native Common Elderberry is quite common in our area. It prefers full to partial sun and moist fertile loamy soil. It is is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub 4-12' tall. Along its young branches and shoots are pairs of opposite compound leaves 6-12" long, mostly simple-pinnate with 5-9 leaflets (2-4 pairs of opposite leaflets and one terminal leaflet). The leaflets are 2½–5" long and ¾–2" across, lance-shaped and toothed. The upper stems terminate in umbel-like panicles (3-10" across) of white flowers (about ¼" across) which are replaced later by drupe-like juicy fruits about 3/16" across that become dark purple to black as they mature. The fruits are very attractive to birds and squirrels.
Common Elderberry at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve July 11, 2013
Common Elderberry at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve July 11, 2013
Common Elderberry along Route 71 June 26, 2013
Common Elderberry (berries) at Richard Young Forest Preserve August 3, 2012
The ripening elderberries have long been used as a food, to make elderberry wine and to make teas and tonics to treat constipation and flu. Unripened berries contain a poisonous toxic alkaloid and the leaves, branches, seeds and roots also contain a cyanide agent. Overindulgence should be avoided to not create a toxic build up of cyanide in the body. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice.
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