Elderberry bushes, belonging to the genus Sambucus, are common shrubs found globally in temperate to subtropical regions. They often thrive in moist areas like streambanks or open woodlands. Recognized for their distinctive flowers and clusters of small berries, elderberry plants interact with a wide range of wildlife.
Elderberry Fruits as a Food Source
Ripe elderberry fruits serve as a significant food source for numerous animal species, particularly during late summer and fall. These berries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making them a nutritious part of many animals’ diets.
Over 45 species of birds consume elderberries, including songbirds like bluebirds, orioles, cedar waxwings, robins, thrushes, and finches. Migratory birds especially rely on these berries to build fat reserves for their long journeys. Various mammals also feast on the ripe fruits, including raccoons, squirrels, mice, opossums, and bears. Deer, elk, and moose consume the berries and their foliage. Even box turtles have been observed eating the fruit. This consumption aids in seed dispersal, contributing to the plant’s propagation.
Consumption of Other Elderberry Plant Parts
While ripe fruits are a primary food source, animals may also consume other parts of the elderberry plant, though generally less frequently. Deer, elk, and moose browse on elderberry leaves and twigs. This browsing activity tends to be more limited in spring when leaves can be strongly scented, increasing in late summer and fall.
Porcupines, mice, and snowshoe hares have been noted to eat the buds and bark, particularly during winter months when other food sources are scarce. Many insect species, including various beetles, spider mites, aphids, and the larvae of certain moths like the cecropia moth, feed on the foliage or other plant structures.
Safety and Toxicity for Animals
Most parts of the elderberry plant, excluding the ripe, cooked berries and flowers, contain compounds that can be toxic to animals. These compounds are primarily cyanogenic glycosides, such as sambunigrin and prunasin. When ingested and metabolized, these glycosides can release hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which interferes with oxygen utilization in the body.
Symptoms of poisoning commonly include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. In severe cases, particularly with large ingestions of raw plant material, more serious effects like respiratory distress, seizures, organ failure, or even death can occur rapidly. All raw plant parts—unripe berries, leaves, stems, bark, and roots—are considered toxic, especially if wilted or in regrowth. Red elderberry species (Sambucus racemosa) may contain higher concentrations of toxins compared to black elderberry (Sambucus nigra).
Domestic animals like cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, and horses are susceptible to elderberry poisoning. Ripe elderberries, when cooked or properly processed, are generally considered safe as heat degrades the toxic compounds. This processing can also apply to animal feed if prepared carefully.