by Helen Fairly, Native Plants Class 2002
Common names: Elderberry, blue elderberry.
Family: Caprifoliacea
Synonymy: Sambucus coerulea
Etymology: The epithet glauca refers to the powdery/whitish coating on the berries (2).

Identification
Growth form: Elderberry is a large shrub or small tree, up to 20 feet tall, but usually much shorter, with multiple stems growing from a common base and forming a fan-like, gently arching growth form.
Roots:
Stem: Young stems have smooth gray bark. On older plants, the bark is brown or gray and furrowed.
Leaves: Dark green, pinnately compound leaves up to 8" long. Each leaf is composed of 5 to 9 lanceolate leaflets with finely serrated toothed margins, up 10 cm (4") long. The leaflets are smooth and lusterous on the upper surface; lower surfaces are slightly paler green.
Inflorescence/flowers: Inflorescences are tiny (ca. 50-70mm diameter) yellowish white flowers growing in flat-top, umbrella-like clusters up to 20 cm (8") wide.
Fruit: The fruit is a small, pea-sized, juicy, dark bluish berry with a whitish coating on the surface. They grow in loose bunches.
Similar species: At least five other species of Sambucus grow in Arizona. S. mexicana grows at lower elevations (1000-4000 feet) and usually has 3-5 leaflets which are elliptical or oval. S. microbotyts grows at high elevations (7500-10,000) and has leaflets whose margins fold upward, pyramidal flower clusters, and bright red berries (2).

Ecology
Life history: Elderberry is a long-lived species.
Native/introduced: Native.
Photosynthetic pathway: C3
Phenology: In northern Arizona, Elderberry flowers in late summer (July-August). Fruits are disseminated in late August through October (1).
Distribution: North to Canada, west to California, south to Mexico. It is usually found growing in moist areas on canyon bottoms, north-facing hillsides, and in riparian areas between 2000 and 2900 m (6500-9500 feet) elevation (1,2, 4) .

Uses
Wildlife: Elderberry fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals (1). The berries were widely used by Native Americans, who usually ate them raw. A tonic from the leaves was used to stimulate sweating, relieve fever, and as a mild laxative (3).

References
1. Elmore, F. H. and J. R. Janish. 1976. Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association, Tuscon. 214 pp.

2. Epple, A.O. 1995. A Field Guide to the Plants of Arizona. LewAnn Publishing. Mesa, Arizona.347 pp.

3. Hogan, P. and K. Huisinga. 1999. An Annotated Catalog of the Native and Naturalized Flora of Arizona. Unpublished ms. Arizona Ethnobotanical Research Association, Flagstaff. 116 pp.

4. Nelson, R. A. 1976. Plants of Zion National Park. Zion Natural History Association. 333 pp.