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elderberry

 

Member profile details

 

IDENTIFICATION

Common Name
elderberry
Photo #1
Scientific Name
Sambucus nigra L. ssp. cerulea (Raf.) Bolli; Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Bolli
Family
Adoxaceae
Species Description
Large, deciduous shrub or small tree with large, pinnately compound leaves that are dark green. Numerous small, white, perfect umbel-like or panicle flower clusters appear from shoots near apical buds. Fruit are berry-like drupe, dark blue, sweet.
 

NATURAL / CULTURAL HISTORY

AZ Native or Introduced
Native of Arizona
Natural Range
American elderberry species grow from West Texas north to Montana, western Alberta, and southern British Columbia, and all other western states, south into northwest Mexico. European and Asian species also.
Natural Habitat
Elderberry grows on moist, well-drained sunny sites, usually occurring in openings in moist forest habitats of slopes, canyons, cliff bases, stream sides, and stream banks, and moist areas within drier, more open habitats.
Cultural-Historic Notes
Indigenous peoples across North America prized elderberry fruit. The small clusters of berries were gathered in large quantities throughout July and August. These clusters are dried for winter use, or cooked into rich sauces. Elderberry was so greatly enjoyed that families would live for weeks on little else. Fruit are collected from the wild across its range in parts of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and commercially cultivated in Oregon. Also grows wild in Europe and Asia.
 

GROWTH FORM & RATE

Growth Form
  • Tree
  • Shrub
Tree or Understory
Tree
Other Growth Characteristics
  • Seasonally Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Canopy Diameter
10 feet
Tree Height
10-30 feet
Lifespan
60 years
Years to Bearing, if nursery tree is 1-2 years old; grafted
2-3 years
Chill Hours
Unknown
Freeze Tolerance
Very frost tolerant, suitable for a wide range of elevations and climates.
Site, Micro-Climate, and Growing Considerations
Elderberry trees prefer moist, well-drained, open and sunny sites but can be grown in partial shade. Elderberry is also an attractor of beneficial insects and hummingbirds, can be used as a windbreak or living fence, provides food and shelter for wildlife (especially birds), and is a great pioneer species.
Elevation Range
10 ft to almost 10,000 ft
Appropriate Arizona Elevation Categories
  • HIGH MOUNTAIN: Flagstaff - USDA Zone 6b (-5ºF-0ºF)
  • HIGH PLATEAU, MOUNTAIN: Prescott, Tuba City, Winslow, Page - USDA Zones 7a-7b (0ºF-10ºF)
  • HIGH DESERT: Sierra Vista, Kingman, Globe, Wilcox - USDA Zones 8a-8b (10-20ºF)
  • MID DESERT: Tucson, Ajo, Safford, Casa Grande - USDA Zones 9a-9b (20-30ºF)
USDA Interactive Plant Zone Map for Arizona
 

WATER

Relative Plant Water Use
  • Medium: 20-35 inches / year
Post-Establishment Irrigation Needs
  • 2 X Month in Growing Season
Notes on Species-Specific Water Needs
Elderberry trees require about an inch of water per week.
 

CARE

Pollination
Elderberry are self-fertile, but produce more when cross-pollinated. Flowers are pollinated by many different insects, including honey bees, solitary bees and some flies and beetles.
Soils
Elderberry prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils.
Propagation
Elderberry grows best from seed. Collect fruits when ripe and spread in thin layers to dry. To separate seeds from fruits, one can 1) run fruit through a macerator with water, and the pulp and empty seeds float to the surface; 2) crush and dry the fruit whole to plant without separating pulp from seeds; and 3) small amounts of fruit can be cleaned in a fruit blender. Elderberry seed can be stored dry at 41 degrees Fº for several years. Elderberry seeds can be sown in the fall soon after collection, or stratified and sown in the spring. Without pretreatment, seed germination may be delayed from 2 to 5 years after planting. Cuttings of elderberry have lower survival success than trees germinated from seed. Use hardwood cuttings from previous seasons' growth. Take cuttings from older wood, so inner pith is not exposed. Cuttings should be at least 10", and have at least two nodes. Cuttings should be placed in 4" pots with perlite and peat. Plants should be kept moist. Cuttings have a fragile root system, with high mortality occurring when transplanted.
Pruning Notes
Do not prune elderberry for the first two years. After that, trees may be pruned back in early spring and the dead branches removed to stimulate new, productive growth.
 

HARVEST & PROCESSING

Edible Parts
Blue or purple berries are gathered and made into elderberry wine, jam, syrup, sauces and pies. The berries can be harvested in late summer (August-September) and made into juice by simmering them in water and then straining off the juice. The juice that results can be made into syrup by adding sugar, into wine, or a delicious cordial. Flower tops can also be harvested in early summer when shedding pollen, and dipped in batter and fried like pancakes. Petals can be eaten raw or made into a fragrant and tasty tea. Caution should be used to collect only ripe berries and try to remove stems and seeds, which contain a toxic, cyanide-producing glycoside.
Harvest Months
  • May
  • June
  • August
  • September
Harvest Months Notes
flowers - May & June; fruit - August & September
Harvest and Processing Guide

Copyright November 2022

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