Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database

Sambucus mexicana (Blue Elderberry)

Kingdom Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Dipsacales

Family Caprifoliaceae – Honeysuckle family

Genus Sambucus L. – elderberry

Species Sambucus nigra L. – black elderberry

Subspecies Sambucus nigra L. ssp. cerulea (Raf.) R. Bolli – blue elderberry

This handsome, deciduous shrub, with its multiple stems, reaches 6-12’ in little time.

The bright green leaves grow from stems as pithy as raspberry canes and surround the distinct flat-topped clusters of flowers.

Shrubs yield an impressive amount of delectable, blue-black berries with a high vitamin content that are used in pies, wines and preserves. Birds and other wildlife flock to the berries as they ripen. Do take care not to eat the berries uncooked and remember that the roots, leaves and bark contain cyanide and must be avoided.

Blue elderberry is generally an interior rather than coastal plant found from Alberta to New Mexico and west to the Pacific Coast (USDA 5-10).

It grows well in sun or shade and tolerates a moderately dry site.