American Elderberry

Description:

It is a deciduous suckering shrub growing to 3 m or more tall. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, pinnate with five to nine leaflets, the leaflets around 10 cm long and 5 cm broad. In summer, it bears large (20–30 cm diameter) corymbs of white flowers above the foliage, the individual flowers 5–6 mm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a dark purple to black berry 3–5 mm diameter, produced in drooping clusters in the fall. The ripe berries and flowers are edible, but other parts of the plant are poisonous, containing toxic calcium oxalate crystals. Uses for the fruit include medicinal products, wine, jelly and dye. Leaves and inner bark can be used as an insecticide and a dye. Stems can be hollowed out and used for spouts, musical instruments, and toys.

Habitat:

Native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, and south through eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama. It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations.

Notes:

Spotted at a wooded detention/retention pond in an office building complex in Kennesaw, GA.