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 ½ 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