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Sambucus canadensis

American Black Elderberry · American Elder · American Elderberry

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Sambucus

A heavy drooping cluster of small black berries on bright red stalks, among long pointed leaflets.
FruitCmeusburgerCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
5-12 ft1.5-3.7 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-12 ft1.8-3.7 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Belize, Bolivia, California and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Sambucus comes from the Greek sambuce, an ancient wind instrument: the pith was removed from the twigs to make whistles. Most of the plant is toxic, but the ripe berries can be cooked once the seeds are removed. Wikipedia: Sambucus canadensis

Protocol

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 35 days to germinate.

93% germination in 14–35 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Sambucus p. 74Public domain
Show the original text
Sambucus (Caprifoliaceae). S. canadensis (a second sample) germ. 70 GA-3(93% in 2-5 w) similar to the first sample (2nd Ed.). After 1 y DS germination in 70 GA-3 dropped to 53% and germination in 70D was still none. Seeds treated to alternating cycles between 40 and 70 failed to germinate after 2 y. Seeds DS 2 y were dead.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Sambucus p. 74. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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