Michigan has two species of Elderberries. Both are native. Elderberries are shrubs with opposite, compound leaves that have more than five leaflets. Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) is our only other opposite-leaved shrub with compound leaves; it has three finely-toothed leaflets.

Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) flowers in early summer and the fruits ripen in the fall. Flower clusters are flat. The mature fruit is almost black. The twig is covered with white lenticels, the pith of second year twigs is white, and it has small winter buds about twice as long as wide. Normally some of the leaves will have more than seven leaflets. This is the species to make jelly (and wine) from.

Red Elderberry or Red-berried Elder (S. racemosa) flowers in spring and the fruits ripen in the summer. Flower clusters are elongated. The mature fruit is red. The twig is covered with orange lenticels, the pith of second year twigs is dark brown, and it has large, globular winter buds. Normally the leaves will have seven or fewer leaflets.

Both of our Elderberries are common shrubs and should become familiar to anyone who studies nature in Michigan.

 
Copyright 2020 by Donald Drife

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