Home Elderberry Caprifoliaceae Sambucus sp. Eastern elderberry S. canadensis L. Western elderberry S. coerulea Raf. Magness et al. 1971 Elderberry plants are large shrubs, or small trees, sometimes up to 20 feet, cultivated to a limited extent in the U.S. for the fruit. Leaves are large and compound.
Stems are hollow or pithy.
Fruits are produced in large flat clusters 6 to 9 inches across. Individual berries are small, about 0.16 to 0.25 inch diameter, globose, with prominent seeds. Colors vary from red to blue-black. Fruits are harvested from wild in considerable quantities. There are a few commercial plantings of a selected variety named Adams.