Common and Red Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis L. and S. racemosa L.
Shrubs with opposite, compound leaves each with 2 or 3 pairs of leaflets. The stems are pithy and that of red elderberry is a distinctive orange-red. Numerous small white flowers with 5 petals are found in much-branched terminal clusters. These produce clusters of small bemes. Those of common elderberry are red and edible, but those of red elderberry are red and poisonous. Common elderberry blooms in mid July and August; while red elderberry blooms in June.
Red Elderberry – Flowering Head
