Common Name: American Elder

General Information

Sambucus canadensis is a multi-stemmed, wide-spreading deciduous shrub growing 3 - 4.5 metres tall[].
A multi-purpose shrub, it is harvested from the wild and used locally for food, medicine and various commodities. The plant is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are several named varieties[], though these have mainly been developed for their ornamental value[].

Known Hazards

The leaves and stems of this species are poisonous[, ]. The fruit has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people[, ]. The unripe fruit contains a toxic alkaloid and cyanogenic glycosides[]. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Central America from Panama northwards through much of central and eastern N. America to southern Canada.

Habitat

Rich moist soils along streams and rivers, woodland margins and waste ground[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sambucus canadensis is a very hardy plant with a wide range, found from the tropics to the temperate zone between latitudes of 9 - 65°N. It can be found from low to high elevations in the tropics as well as in the temperate zones. It can succeed in areas where the mean annual rainfall is within the range 300 - 4,000mm[]. When dormant it tolerates temperatures down to about -34°c[].
Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[]. Tolerates most soils, including chalk[], but prefers a moist loamy soil[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.3 - 7.3[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in some areas, such as Hawaii[].
A fast-growing but short-lived plant[].
The plant forms dense thickets, often suckering from the roots[].
Yields of up to 7kg of fruit per tree have been recorded[].
The flowers have a muscatel smell[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. A bittersweet flavour, the fruits are about 5mm in diameter and are borne in large clusters[, ]. They are at their best after being dried[], the fresh raw fruit has a rather rank taste[]. Raw elderberries have an unpleasant taste and contain small amounts of poisonous alkaloids - cooking destroys these alkaloids and improves the taste[]. The dried berries are said to be good to eat raw, however[]. The fruit is normally cooked and used in pies, jams, jellies, sauces, bread etc[, , , ]. Rich in vitamin C[]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

Flowers - raw or cooked. They are often covered in batter and made into fritters[]. The flowers can be picked when unopened, pickled and then used as a flavouring in candies etc[, ]. They can also be soaked in water to make a drink[]. The flowers are used to make elderflower water which is used in confectioneries[].

A pleasant tasting tea is made from the dried flowers[, , , ].

Young shoots are said to be edible when cooked and to be used as an asparagus substitute[, ] though, since the leaves are also said to be poisonous, this report should be viewed with some doubt[].

Medicinal

American elder was widely employed as a medicinal herb by many native North American tribes who used it to treat a wide range of complaints[]. It is still commonly used as a domestic remedy. Some caution should be exercised if using any part of the plant fresh, however, since it can cause poisoning[].

A tea made from the inner bark and root bark is diuretic, emetic and a strong laxative[, ]. A tea made from the root bark is used to promote labour in childbirth and in treating headaches, kidney problems and mucous congestion[, ].
The inner bark is also applied externally as a poultice to cuts, sore or swollen limbs etc in order to relieve pain and swelling[, ].

An infusion of the leaf buds is strongly purgative[]. A decoction of the leaves in a bath is used as a febrifuge and for treating measles[].
A poultice of the leaves is applied to bruises and to cuts in order to stop the bleeding[]. The leaves are crushed, added to petroleum, and applied onto skin to treat whitlow[].

Elder flowers are stimulant, diaphoretic and diuretic[, ]. A warm tea of the flowers is stimulant and induces sweating, taken cold it is diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of fevers and infant colic[]. An infusion of the whole inflorescence is used as an emetic in the treatment of grippe[].
An infusion of the leaves and flowers is used externally as an antiseptic wash for skin problems, wounds etc[].
The flowers are rich in potassium, nitrate, mucilage, polyphenolic and chlorogenic acids, and the flavonoid rutoside[].

The fresh juice of the fruit, evaporated into a syrup, is laxative. It also makes a good ointment for treating burns when mixed with an oily base[]. The dried fruit can be made into a tea that is useful in the treatment of cholera and diarrhoea[].

Agroforestry Uses:

When grown near a compost heap, the root activity of this plant encourages fermentation in the compost heap[].

Other Uses

The leaves and inner bark of young shoots are used as an insect repellent[, , , , ], the dried flowering shoots are said to repel insects and rodents[]. A decoction of the leaves can be used as an insecticide[]. It is prepared by boiling 3 - 4 handfuls of leaves in a litre of water, then straining and allowing to cool before applying. Effective against many insects, it also treats various fungal infections such as leaf rot and powdery mildew[].

The flowers are used to make elderflower water, which is used in perfumes[].

A black dye is obtained from the bark[].
A purple to black dye is obtained from the fruits[].
An orange to yellow dye is obtained from the stems[].

The stems can be easily hollowed out to be used as drains in tapping the sap from trees such as the Sugar Maples (Acer spp). The stems can also be used as whistles and flutes[, ].

Wood - soft and coarse-grained[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first[, , ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with a heel, late autumn in a frame or a sheltered outdoor bed[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season.