Sambucus racemosa – red elderberry
Common Name
red elderberry
Family
Adoxaceae
Scientific Name
Sambucus racemosa
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Rich (R)
Video link
Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Manual © 1973. Reprinted with permission of the University of Washington Press.
Photo Gallery
General / Habitat
- Shrub to small tree with pithy twigs (large soft pith), dark-reddish brown bark
- Grows along stream banks and in moist clearings and open forests
- Sea level to mid elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Leaves: Opposite, pinnately compound with 5-7 lance-shaped, sharply-toothed leaflets.
- Flowers: White or off-white, smell bad. In rounded or pyramidal cluster
- Fruit: bright red, berry-like drupes
- Other: foliage has characteristic odor
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.