Sambucus canadensis, American Elder



Size: shrub, 5-12' average height at maturity (8-15' spread)

Buds: small, pointed, sometimes multiple, usually absent terminal, brown, few scales

Leaves: deciduous, opposite, pinnately compound, 5-11 leaflets, most often 7, each leaflet 2-6" long, .5-2.5" wide with short stal, oval or ovate to oblong, margins sharply serrate, tip acuminate, dark green, yellow-green in fall

Twigs: stout, large white pith, large crescent-shaped leaf scars, 5 bundle scars, conspicuous lenticels

Flowers: monoecious, white petals, yellow stamens, in slightly convex horizontal clusters up to 10" wide, bloom June-July

Fruit: purplish black, about .25" wide, often very abundant