The elderberry plant, a member of the genus Sambucus, is a common deciduous shrub or small tree found throughout temperate and subtropical regions globally. People often seek to identify this plant, whether for its ornamental value or its traditional uses in food and health preparations. Understanding the visual characteristics of its structure, foliage, flowers, and fruit is the clearest path to accurate identification. This guide describes the distinct features that make the elderberry recognizable across the seasons.
Overall Growth Habit and Bark
Elderberry plants typically exhibit a multi-stemmed, sprawling, and upright growth habit, often appearing more like a large shrub than a single-trunked tree. Most common species, such as American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and European elderberry (Sambucus nigra), generally reach a height and spread of 5 to 12 feet. The plant is known for its tendency to spread through root suckers, which results in the formation of dense thickets or colonies over time.
The bark of the elderberry changes noticeably as the plant matures. Young stems start with a relatively smooth, grayish-brown or yellowish-gray exterior. As the stems age, the bark becomes rougher and develops shallow furrows, but a distinctive feature is the presence of prominent lenticels (small, raised spots). A key identifying trait is the large amount of white, spongy pith found inside the stems and branches.
Recognizing the Distinctive Foliage
Elderberry leaves offer a reliable means of identification when flowers or fruit are not present. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems and are pinnately compound, meaning they consist of multiple separate leaflets attached to a central stalk. A single compound leaf can be quite large, often measuring up to 12 inches long, and typically consists of five to eleven leaflets, with seven being a common number.
The individual leaflets are usually oval or lance-shaped, tapering to a pointed tip. The edges of these leaflets are finely toothed or sharply serrated, giving the leaf a saw-like margin. The foliage is bright to dark green throughout the growing season, often transforming to a soft yellow-green color before dropping in the fall.
The Appearance of Flowers and Fruit
The reproductive structures are the most recognizable features of the elderberry plant. In late spring to early summer, the plant produces an abundance of small, creamy-white flowers. These individual flowers have a star-like appearance with five petals and are highly fragrant, often described as having a musky or sweet scent.
A defining characteristic is the way these flowers are grouped together into large, flat-topped or slightly convex clusters called cymes or corymbs. These conspicuous clusters can measure between 4 to 10 inches in diameter, creating a striking, frothy appearance above the foliage. This flat cluster shape is a helpful visual cue for distinguishing elderberry from other flowering shrubs.
The flower clusters develop into fruit clusters during the late summer or early fall. The fruit itself is a small, berry-like drupe, typically measuring about 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter. These fruits ripen to a glossy, dark purple or black color, depending on the species. They are borne in large, drooping clusters that mirror the shape of the original flower cyme, providing a final, distinct visual marker for the mature plant.