American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is commonly found throughout eastern and central North America. It is commonly found along streambanks, meadows, woodland edges, and roadsides.
It’s both edible and medicinal, though particualarly prized for its medicinal value. The European version of elderberry looks very similar, but mainly the flowers are harvested for medicine, whereas the North American version is usually prized for it’s berries. Either can be used in the same way – to boost the immune system.
Identification:
Height: Can be up to 20 feet tall, but is often smaller.
Bark: Mostly smooth but with bumpy spots.
Stems: Has a soft pith that will decay when the plant dies, leaving a hollow tube. Used for whistles, flutes, or straws.
Leaves: Leaflets of 5-11 per leaf. Serrated along the edge with a pointed tip and slightly hairy on the underside.
Branching Pattern: Opposite
Flowers: Blooms in mid-spring. White, tiny flowers in a bunch anywhere from 6 -10 inches across. Fragrant and great for bees and butterflies. It’s an excellent native, edible/medicinal plant to grow in your garden both for your benefit and nature’s.
Berries: Drupes, appear mid-late summer. Small and round, purple-black when ripe. DO NOT EAT RAW. Only edible cooked. Stem to the berries is red to purple.
Poisonous Look-Alikes:
Water Hemlock (Cicuta spp.) is one of North America’s most toxic plants—a small amount can be fatal if ingested. It’s essential to be able to distinguish it from elderberry and other similar-looking plants, especially when foraging.
Key Differences: Elderberry vs. Water Hemlock
| Feature | Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) | Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) |
|---|---|---|
| Stem | Pithy, sometimes woody | Hollow, grooved, purple-spotted |
| Leaf Arrangement | Opposite | Alternate |
| Flowers | Flat-topped clusters (corymbs) | Umbrella-shaped clusters (umbels) |
| Berries | Small, dark purple (in clusters) | No berries – develops dry seeds |
| Habitat | Moist woods, ditches, forest edges | Very wet areas – marshes, banks, swamps |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic raw; safe cooked | Extremely toxic – fatal if ingested |
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is another extremely toxic plant, distinct from water hemlock, but often confused with it and with edible plants like wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace).
Habitat
- Found in disturbed areas: roadsides, field edges, ditches, streambanks
- Prefers moist soil but also grows in dry open areas
- Widespread across North America
Height
- Typically 5–10 feet tall
- Large biennial plant (first year: low rosette; second year: tall flowering stalk)
Leaves
- Alternate arrangement
- Finely divided and fern-like (resembling parsley or carrot tops)
- Smooth and hairless
- Has a mousy or musty odor (some describe it as unpleasant or sickly sweet)
Flowers
- Tiny white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters (umbels)
- Bloom late spring to early summer
- Similar to Queen Anne’s lace but without the central purple flower
Stem
- Hollow, smooth, and marked with purple or reddish blotches
- No hairs on stem (key difference from Queen Anne’s lace)
- Grooved lengthwise
Seeds
- Small, ribbed, and ridged
- Form in late summer after flowering
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a cousin of the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), and while it shares many traits, it has some important differences — both in appearance and safety for consumption.
Common names: Red elder, red-berried elder, panicled elderberry
Range: Widely distributed across cooler regions of North America, especially in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and mountains
Habitat: Moist woods, mountain slopes, streambanks, thickets
Leaves
- Opposite, pinnately compound with 5–7 leaflets
- Leaflets:
- Lance-shaped, toothed edges
- Pointed tips
- Can be up to 6 inches long
- Similar to other elderberries
Flowers
- Appear in spring
- Small, white to cream flowers
- Grow in conical or pyramidal clusters (not flat-topped like S. canadensis)
- Blooms slightly earlier than black elderberry
Berries
- Bright red, glossy
- Grow in dense, cone-shaped clusters
- Ripen in early summer
- Berries are toxic when raw and should be cooked thoroughly if used (still, many experts recommend avoiding them due to stronger emetic compounds)
- Not as commonly used in food as S. canadensis
Growth Form
- Upright shrub or small tree, 5–15 feet tall
- More upright and conical growth than S. canadensis
- Twigs are soft, with white pith when cut
- Bark has lenticels (small, pale bumps)
Caution
- Raw red elderberries are more toxic than black/purple elderberries
- Contain cyanogenic glycosides and strong emetic compounds
- Even proper cooking may not fully neutralize the toxins
- Generally not recommended for casual foraging or consumptionKey Differences: Red vs. Black
Key Differences: Red vs. Black Elderberry
| Feature | Red Elderberry (S. racemosa) | Black Elderberry (S. canadensis) |
|---|---|---|
| Berry Color | Bright red | Dark purple to black |
| Berry Cluster Shape | Conical/pyramidal | Flat-topped (umbel-like) |
| Flower Shape | Cone-shaped cluster | Broad, flat cluster |
| Height | Taller, more upright shrub | Sprawling, multi-stemmed shrub |
| Edibility | Toxic raw, questionable even cooked | Toxic raw, edible when cooked |
Recipes
Elderberry Herbal Medicine Infused Honey
Ingredients:
- ½ cup dried elderberries (or 1 cup fresh)
- 1½ cups raw honey (preferably local and unpasteurized)
- Optional herbs (choose 1–2 for added benefits):
- 1 tbsp dried echinacea root (immune-boosting)
- 1 tbsp dried ginger root (warming and antiviral)
- 1 tsp cinnamon chips or ½ cinnamon stick (antimicrobial)
- 1 tsp cloves (antioxidant)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (respiratory support)
Method:
Option 1: Cold Infusion (best for preserving enzymes & nutrients)
- Add elderberries and herbs to a clean glass jar (pint size works well).
- Pour honey over the herbs slowly, using a chopstick or knife to remove air bubbles.
- Stir gently to ensure all herbs are coated and submerged.
- Cap tightly and place in a warm area (like a sunny windowsill) for 2–4 weeks, flipping the jar daily.
- Strain the honey through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar.
Option 2: Warm Infusion (faster, ready in 4 hrs)
- Combine elderberries, herbs, and honey in a double boiler or heat-safe jar in a water bath.
- Heat honey, elderberrie, and other herbs in the double boiler or jar (do not exceed 95–100°F if possible) for 4 hours.
- Stir occasionally and keep herbs submerged.
- Strain once cooled and store in a sterilized jar.
Elderflower Tea Recipe
Ingredients (1–2 servings):
- 1–2 teaspoons dried elderflowers
(or 2–3 teaspoons fresh elderflowers, rinsed) - 1 cup boiling water
- Optional additions:
- 1 tsp dried peppermint or lemon balm (for cooling, calming)
- 1–2 thin slices fresh ginger (for warmth and immune support)
- Raw honey or lemon (to taste, after steeping)
Directions:
- Place elderflowers (and any optional herbs) into a teapot, mug, or heatproof jar.
- Pour freshly boiled water over the herbs.
- Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes.
- Covering the tea helps preserve the volatile oils.
- Strain and sweeten with honey or add lemon if desired.
When to Drink:
- During cold/flu season for immune support
- At the first sign of a cold (especially with fever or congestion)
- As a cool summer tea (it’s lovely iced with a slice of lemon!)
⚠️ Notes:
- Harvest elderflowers from Sambucus nigra or Sambucus canadensis only, and avoid stems (they can be mildly toxic).
- Do not consume large amounts daily for long periods—use as a short-term support herb.
Elderberry Gummies Recipe (Immune-Boosting & Delicious)
Ingredients (makes ~50 small gummies):
- 1 cup elderberry syrup (see quick version below if needed)
- 2½ tablespoons grass-fed gelatin (e.g., Great Lakes or Vital Proteins)
- Optional:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (preservative + flavor)
- 1 teaspoon raw honey (if your syrup isn’t sweet enough)
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon or ginger powder for extra support
Quick Elderberry Syrup (if you don’t have any):
- Combine in a saucepan:
- ½ cup dried elderberries
- 2 cups water
- Optional: 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 1 inch ginger, zest of 1 lemon
- Simmer on low for 30–45 minutes, reducing liquid by half.
- Strain and cool. Stir in ½ cup raw honey once cooled to warm (not hot) temperature.
Gummy Directions:
- Pour the elderberry syrup into a small saucepan (but don’t heat yet).
- Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Let it bloom for 5 minutes (absorb liquid).
- Warm the mixture gently over low heat, stirring constantly, just until fully dissolved—don’t boil.
- Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, honey, or spices if desired.
- Pour into silicone molds (or a parchment-lined baking dish to cut into squares later).
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until fully set.
Storage:
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks in an airtight container.
- For longer storage, freeze them (they thaw quickly).
💡 Dosage:
- Kids: 1 gummy daily (up to 3 per day when sick)
- Adults: 2 gummies daily (up to 6 per day when sick)
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