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Sambucus nigra L. ssp. cerulea (Raf.) R. Bolli
Blue elderberry
Blue elderberry is still widely known as Sambucus glauca. It is a North American native,
first reported by Lewis and Clark.
Plants: This woody shrub reaches heights of 20′ (6.1 m),
with main branches up to 1½″ (3.8 cm) in diameter. Upright branches, composed of soft pithy wood,
eventually bend into arches.
Leaves: Opposite, in clusters of 3-9, up to 8″ (20 cm) long, and oval to lance-shaped.
Flowers: White or cream-colored, in flat-topped clusters up to 6″ (15 cm) around.
Fruits: Spherical,
blue-black in color, with a white powdery surface that makes them look lighter.
Habitats: Mixed conifer forests, forest-steppe transitions, open talus slopes, at high elevations, in full sunlight.
Edibility: Poisonous. Leaves, green fruits and stems are
poisonous. However, ripe fruits are edible when cooked, and sometimes
made into jelly or wine, but the fruit does not agree with everyone.
Leaves, green fruits and stems are
poisonous. However, ripe fruits are edible when cooked, and sometimes
made into jelly or wine, but the fruit does not agree with everyone.
