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Woody > Sambucus > Sambucus racemosa > Sambucus racemosa

Sambucus racemosa


Red Elderberry, European Red Alder, Red Berried Elder




Origin:  Europe, west Asia and North America.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

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A medium to large shrub with clusters of nice yellow-white spring flowers followed by bright red berry-like summer fruit. Grows in most conditions, but prefers moist soils. A good shrub for naturalized areas to provide food and shelter to native birds. The leaves give off an unpleasant smell that can repel annoying insects. All parts of the plant are toxic, and stems used as pea shooters have resulted in poisonings.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

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Family
Adoxaceae (Caprifoliaceae)
Genus
Sambucus
Species
racemosa
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
5-10
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7
Temperature (°C)
-34 - (-7)
Temperature (°F)
-30 - (-7)
Height
3.5 m - 6 m
Spread
3.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
AprilMayJune
General Description
A medium to large shrub with attractive flowers and fruit.
Landscape
Naturalized areas, informal hedges, massing. Berries are attractive to birds. Some Cultivars- ‘Pulmosa Aurea’ and ‘Tenuifolia’ are grown for their appealing foliage.
Cultivation
Grows in most conditions, but can look untidy in winter. An accent to a naturalized setting.
Shape
Erect, much branching shrub, clump forming.
Growth
Medium
ID Characteristic
Numerous branches, easily broken with yellow-white flowers in pyramidal clusters followed by red berries. Leaves are pinnately compound, leaflets often uneven at base. Crushed leaves have unpleasant smell.
Pests
Elder borer: Wing covers orange at base and iridescent steel blue at tips. Long jointed antennae look like horns. Bores into stems. Also potential for powdery mildew, canker and leaf spot.
Habitat
Open woods, sub-alpine meadows, clay to sandy upland sites, wet organic sites.
Bark/Stem Description
Newer branches yellowish-brown and smooth, maturing to greyish-brown, thick and warty.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Spring buds in opposite arrangement.
Leaf Description
Pinnately compound with 5-7 leaflets, ovate, pointed at tip, often uneven at base. 5-13 cm long, 2.5-5 cm wide. Upper surface green and smooth, underside pale and hairy. Margins sharply toothed. Petioles 2.5-5 cm long. Crushed leaves give off an unpleasant odour.
Flower Description
Yellow-white, 3-6 mm wide with 5 petals. Numerous in elongated pyramidal panicles 5-13 cm long. April- June depending on zone.
Fruit Description
Red and berry-like, 4-6 mm long. Smooth, 3 seeded. Grow in upright clusters. Contain a purgative alkaloid, Sambucine. Berries must be seeded and cooked to be edible, otherwise toxic to humans. Enjoyed by birds.
Colour Description
Green leaves. Yellow-white flowers in spring, Red fruit in Summer. Golden foliage in autumn.
Texture Description
Brittle stems, warty when mature.
Propagation
Softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn that are planted in a sheltered border until spring then moved to a permanent location.
References
Some nurseries and garden centres but straight species generally a native woodland plant.
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