Sambucus pubens

Red elderberry is a deciduous shrub reaching 4 m tall, hardy to UK zone 4. It produces hermaphrodite flowers from June to July, pollinated by insects. The plant thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils across a wide pH range from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. It tolerates semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist conditions, and withstands strong winds and atmospheric pollution, though it cannot tolerate maritime exposure.

Description

A shrub. It grows 1-3.1 m tall. The leaves have 5-7 leaflets. These taper to the tip. The buds are plump and reddish. The flowers occur in clusters shaped like a pyramid. These appear as the leaves unfold. The fruit are red. They are probably edible but not attractive.

Edible Uses

The flowers are edible raw or cooked. The fruit, about 5mm in diameter and borne in large clusters, is edible raw or cooked but has a bitter flavour. It is quite nutritious, with a relatively high fat, protein, and carbohydrate content. Drying the fruit before use reduces some of its rank taste, and the large clusters make harvesting straightforward. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity. The root can be made into a tea-like beverage.

Traditional Uses

The bitter fruit are used for making pies, jelly and wine. The roots are used for a tea like drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The bark and leaves are used as a diuretic and purgative. The blossoms have been used in the treatment of measles.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some, if not all, members of this genus are poisonous. The fruit of many species (although no records have been seen for this species) has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked. NC State University have noted Cyanogenic glycoside and alkaloids can cause low toxity if eaten.

Distribution

It grows in damp places on the edge of woods.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Tolerates most soils, including chalk, but prefers a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. Closely related to S. racemosa and considered part of that species by some botanists. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame, where it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed sown in spring will likely germinate better with 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. If growth is good, young plants can go into permanent positions in early summer; otherwise, overwinter them in a sheltered nursery bed or in pots and plant out the following spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7–10cm with a heel, can be taken in July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood from the current season's growth, 15–20cm with a heel, can be taken in late autumn in a frame or sheltered outdoor bed.

Other Uses

The stem is easily hollowed and can be used to make a whistle.

Notes

There are about 25 Sambucus species. Also put in the family Sambucaceae.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

VERY TOXIC

Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Jakec

Safe

American red elder

Sambucus pubens

(c) Michael Woodruff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Pokeweed: Thick red/purple herbaceous stems (no bark), berries in a line (raceme), simple large leaves, large white taproot.

American red elder: Woody bark, berries in broad flat clusters (cymes), compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets.

Synonyms

References (8)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Cormack, R. G. H., 1967, Wild Flowers of Alberta. Commercial Printers Edmonton, Canada. p 331
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 223
• Farrar, J.L., 1995, Trees of the Northern United States and Canada. Iowa State University press/Ames p 173
• Fl. bor.-amer. 1:181. 1803

More from Adoxaceae

Sambucus mexicana

Mexican elderberry

Sambucus microbotrys

Red elder, European Red Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

European Elderberry, Black Elder

Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis

Canadian elderberry

Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea

Blue black elder

Sambucus nigra subsp. peruviana

Peruvian elderberry, Peru black elder