ELDERBERRY
Common Names: Elderberry, Sweet Elder, Common Elder, Blackberried Elder.
Scientific Name: Sambucus canadensis
When to Find: Flower in spring. Fruit in summer and fall.
Where to Find: Eastern United States, thickets, woods, streams, and roadsides.
Parts Used: Flowers and fruit.
Warning: Leaves, stems and pith are poisonous.
Preparation: Flowers used to make wine or batter fried as fritters. Flower buds and green berries can be pickled. Ripe berries make juice, jelly, or wine. Eat berries for arthritis or gout.
Storage: Make jelly, wine, juice, or use for Pemmican.
Identification: Plant is about 15 feet high with pithy stems. Compound leaves grow in opposite pairs on stems. White flowers grow in flat-topped clusters. Berries are dark blue when ripe.
