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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Sambucus canadensis

Common Elderberry

Scientific Name:

Sambucus canadensis

Genus:

Sambucus

Species Epithet:

canadensis

Common Name:

Common Elderberry

Plant Type

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Viburnaceae (Viburnum Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

6-12 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June, July

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Streambanks, thickets, marshes, moist forests, disturbed areas. Common throughout NC.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Plants can be vigorous growers and may need more management to control. Attract butterflies and birds.

Blooming Plants

They are very attractive shrubs.

image

along the highway and railroad right-of-way, Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Bud

That's Clematis virginiana winding through.

image

along the highway and railroad right-of-way, Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Almost Ready!

image

along the highway and railroad right-of-way, Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Bloom

This is one good looking plant!

image

along the highway and railroad right-of-way, Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Fruit

The fruit was traditionally used to make jelly, pies and wine. It is attractive to birds and mammals.

image

Close-up of inflorescence (large flat-topped cyme)

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Sambucus canadensis. You will likely hear them called Common Elderberry. This picture shows the Close-up of inflorescence (large flat-topped cyme) of Sambucus canadensis

Bettina Darveaux

Developing fruit clusters

Macon County, NC

The Scientific Name is Sambucus canadensis. You will likely hear them called Common Elderberry. This picture shows the Developing fruit clusters of Sambucus canadensis

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of ripening berries

Macon County, NC

The Scientific Name is Sambucus canadensis. You will likely hear them called Common Elderberry. This picture shows the Close-up of ripening berries of Sambucus canadensis

Bettina Darveaux

Western Carolina campus, Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Sambucus canadensis. You will likely hear them called Common Elderberry. This picture shows the  of Sambucus canadensis

Bettina Darveaux

Young sapling. Opposite compound leaves with serrated leaflets.

Panther Branch Natural Area, Orange Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Sambucus canadensis. You will likely hear them called Common Elderberry. This picture shows the Young sapling. Opposite compound leaves with serrated leaflets. of Sambucus canadensis

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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