American Elderberry Shrub: A Versatile and Valuable Plant

The American elderberry shrub, scientifically known as Sambucus canadensis, is a multi-purpose and valuable plant with diverse uses in traditional medicine, cooking, crafts, and landscaping. This hardy native shrub has been prized by Native Americans for centuries and continues to be an important natural resource today.

Identification and Habitat

The American elderberry is a deciduous woody shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall with an arching, rounded form. It is often found along streams, field edges, hedgerows, and open woodlands. The shrub has light brown bark dotted with lenticels and produces clusters of small creamy white flowers in early summer. These blossoms mature into drooping clusters of small deep purple berries by late summer.

The leaves are light green, pinnately compound with 5-11 serrated leaflets. The fruits are 1/4 inch diameter berries borne in umbrella-shaped clusters. When handling the plant, it’s important to note that the leaves, stems and roots contain cyanide-producing compounds and alkaloids that can cause nausea if ingested. Only the blue or purple berries are edible when fully ripe.

Culinary Uses

The fruits of the American elderberry have long been used for food and beverages. The berries can be cooked into jams jellies syrups, pies, muffins, and wine. They add a tart, fruity flavor. The flowers can also be eaten or used to make tea, drinks, and desserts. Elderberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Medicinal Benefits

Various parts of the elderberry shrub have been used medicinally by Native Americans. The berries are rich in flavonoids and may help support immune function. The flowers contain bioactive compounds and have mild diuretic laxative and anti-inflammatory properties. Elderberry preparations have been traditionally used to promote respiratory and immune health. However, the raw plant parts can cause nausea so medical supervision is advised.

Crafts and Tools

The stems and shoots have been hollowed out to create flutes, clapper sticks and whistles. The twigs and berries produce natural dyes used to color baskets and textiles. The straight, hardy shoots have been fashioned into arrow shafts, nails and plant ties. The versatility of this shrub was invaluable to Native Americans.

Wildlife Value

The flowers provide nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies. The fruits are eaten by at least 50 species of songbirds and gamebirds. Mammals like foxes, raccoons, squirrels and deer also relish the berries. Thickets of elderberry provide excellent cover and nesting sites for birds. Elderberry shrubs enrich the wildlife habitat wherever they grow.

Landscaping Uses

With its hardiness, adaptability and multi-season interest, the American elderberry is an excellent choice for gardens and naturalized landscapes. It can be incorporated into hedgerows, streambanks, pond edges, woodland understories and wildlife plantings. Once established, elderberry requires minimal care while attracting pollinators and birds. It is also lovely in native plant, butterfly or raingardens.