blue elderberry Caprifoliaceae Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea L. ssp. cerulea (Raf.) R. Bolli symbol: SANIC5 Leaf: Opposite, pinnately compound, deciduous, 6 to 12 inches long, with 5 to 9 lanceolate leaflets, apex pointed and margins serrate, dark green and smooth above and paler below. Flower: Perfect, tiny white flowers borne in large, upright, flat-topped clusters, appearing in early summer. Fruit: Small (1/16 to 1/8 inch), dark blue berry-like fruits covered with a white bloom, borne in upright, flat-topped clusters. Not listed as being toxic to humans when eaten raw, but why take a chance when red elder is toxic? Twig: Stout, soft, and with a large spongy pith; covered with a waxy bloom; opposite buds and leaves. New sprouts may grow 10 to 12 feet in a single year. Bark: Grayish brown to black and covered with raised lenticels. Form: Grows as a large upright shrub or small tree, commonly to 20 feet or more. Looks like: American elderberry - red elderberry - Oregon ash - boxelder Additional Range Information: Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting blue elderberry. External Links: USDAFS Additional Silvics USDA Plants Database Horticulture © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson