Thicket/ Common Elder

COMMON NAME: Common Elder

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Elderberry, American Elderberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sambucus canadensis

FAMILY: Caprifoliaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Soft Woody Shrub

HEIGHT: 9 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early June to July

FRUITING TIME: Late June to August

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Georgia ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Tall shrub forming clumps ~ Stems scarcely woody with white pith, older stems grayish-brown ~ Flower white, fragrant, small, in large open terminal clusters ~ Fruit purple to black, small (4-5 mm diameter) round, juicy, small seed-like stones ~ Leaves, opposite, pinnately compound, lance or oval shape, long tip, toothed

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Caprifoliaceae family commonly called the Honeysuckle family consists of 16 genera and 365 species of shrubs, lianas, small trees and a few herbs found chiefly in north temperate and boreal region and tropical mountains.  Family members include the ornamental shrubs Snowberry (Symphoricarpus), Elder (Sambucus), and species of Virburnam, Abelia, and Weigelia. The name of this genus (Sambucus) is from the Greek sambuce meaning, an ancient musical instrument.  The name refers to the readily removed tubes of bark that were used for flutes and whistles.  The species (canadensis) means that this species was first identified in Canada. Though there are about a dozen species of elderberry in the United States, only 2 are important to wildlife—Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and Blue Elderberry (Sambucus cerulean).   They are important sources of summer food for many kinds of songbirds.  Robins and catbirds consume the berries eagerly before they are fully ripe. Gamebirds, squirrels and other rodents and several kinds of browsers also feed on the fruit or foliage of elderberries. The fruit, even when mature, is not palatable to man but is popular for wine, pies and jellies.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.