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Adoxaceae
American Elderberry
Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis
Compassion and healing.
- Family
- Adoxaceae
- Genus
- Sambucus
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 5-12 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, fertile, slightly acidic
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 3-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Elderberry syrup has been used as a cold and flu remedy for centuries, with modern studies supporting its antiviral properties.
- In European folklore, the elder tree was believed to house a spirit called the Elder Mother who protected the tree.
- The hollow stems were traditionally used by Native Americans to make flutes, blowguns, and spiles for tapping maple trees.
- Raw elderberries contain cyanogenic glycosides and must be cooked before consumption to avoid nausea.
- Each flat-topped flower cluster (cyme) can contain hundreds of tiny individual flowers, each only 5mm across.
Color meanings
0
compassion
1
zeal
2
kindness