Species Detail Woody, Cacti, Succulent

Grapevine Canyon
Sue Smith

Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea - blue elderberry

Synonyms: Sambucus mexicana, Sambucus neomexicana, Sambucus glacua and more see USDA Plant Database or SEINET

Other Common Names: blue elder, blueberry elder, Mexican elder

Plant Form:Shrub

Family: Caprifoliaceae


Home	Plant Communities	Plant List	Search Forbs and Subshrubs	Search Grasses	Search Woody Plants	Additional Resources	About this Website

Click on Any Image for a Larger View
Plant - spring Grapevine Canyon Sue Smith	Leaf Grapevine Canyon Sue Smith	Leaflet Grapevine Canyon Sue Smith	Flowers Aspen Creek Tr Sue Smith	Flowers Grapevine Canyon Sue Smith
Plant Description Origin: Native General Description: Deciduous. Clump forming multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees with flat-topped clusters of small, yellowish-white flowers, leaves pinnately compound with 3 to 5 leaflets. Identification notes: Flat-topped flower clusters, pinnately compound leaves with 3 to 5 leaflets that are asymmetrical at their base and sharply serrated on their margins distinguishes this from other Sambucus species. Dark blue berries with a whitish coating. Height: To 30 feet Width: To 20 feet Habitat Habitat Description: Openings in moist coniferous forests and moist soils along streams, in canyons and loamy bottomlands. Plant Communities: Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian Elevation: 5100 - 8500 feet Flowers Color: Yellowish-white Shape: Regular in round clusters Tubular: N Flowering Period: Jun - Sep Description: The flowers are to 1/4 inch wide in dense, flat-topped clusters to 8 inches wide. The clusters are borne at the ends of branches. Leaves Leaf Color: Dark green Type: Compound Shape: Pinnatifid Margin: Toothed Attachment: Opposite Hairs: Bottom of leaves Description: The leaves are to 8 inches long with 5 to 9 lance-shaped leaflets. Leaflets are to 4 inches long. Lower surfaces of leaves are paler and somewhat hairy. Fruit Color: Dark blue Type: Berry-like Description: The flowers are followed by loose clusters of dark blue, 1/4 inch diameter berries covered with a white coating. The berries contain 3 to 5 seeds. Bark/Branches Bark Color: Brown or gray Bark Texture (Mature): Rough Bark and Branch Description: The bark is furrowed; twigs stout, angled, with thick, soft pith. Spines, thorns or prickles: N


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetail.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer