- Sambucus nigra canadensis is native to most of the United States and parts of Canada, while ssp. cerulea is native to the western United States. The nigra subspecies is found in parts of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
- Sambucus nigra is deciduous, meaning it sheds its leaves in the fall. It grows 3 to 12 feet in height and prefers floodplains or nutrient-rich soils. The flowers are small, white and sweet-scented; the leaves are from 2 to 4 1/2 inches long. The fruits -- small, numerous purple-black berries -- are perhaps the easiest feature to recognize at a glance.
- If eaten raw, Sambucus nigra berries are mildly poisonous and may cause nausea and vomiting. The green parts of the plant are potentially poisonous as well. Cooking elderberries, however, destroys the toxin; so cooked elderberries are used to make jams and jellies for human consumption.
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