The easiest way to identify this plant is the many clusters of small white to cream colored flowers in late spring. These are then followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries, with yellow and white berries being much rarer. Elderberry stands are most common along streams and other areas that remain relatively moist. Furthermore most elder plants in these stands will be approximately 10 feet tall with branching compound leaves that to me resemble English or black walnut trees. The bark is also unique in that it is green-gray and covered in small dark bumps from the previous season’s leaves.
Elderberries are one of the great bounties of the foraging world. The blooms are edible, and, of the many different species of elderberries, almost all of them have edible berries. Elder plants are also bountiful for the reason that they continue to produce flower clusters through the summer and berries into the early fall. The flowers can be eaten raw, fried as fritters, or used to make a cordial or syrup. Elderflower syrup is so popular in Europe that Fanta markets a soft drink called Shokata which is made from the syrup. The berries are at their absolute best when mixed into muffins, waffles, or pancakes, and the flowers can be used in the same way. Moreover, they are delicious when made into jams and jellies. Note, elderberries are not the best tasting raw because of the volatile oils they contain. This chemical is easily destroyed, however, by simply drying or cooking the berries, resulting in a delicious berry flavor.
The most popular use for elderberries, however, is to make them into elderberry wines or even medicines. One author, Mark Vorderbruggen, states that his grandfather used to make a cold medicine from the elderflowers by filling a one quart an one-third to half full with fresh elderflowers, removing the stems. Then he would add one tablespoon of sugar, two shots of Triple Sec orange liquor, and then filling the jar almost to the top with vodka. The jar was then sealed tightly and shaken twice a day for six to eight weeks at which point the solids were strained out and the mixture transferred into a capped bottle. He also notes that “elderberry flowers and berries contain the immune-system stimulating molecule ‘Sambucol’ which can also be bought over the counter in pharmacies for use in fighting viral infections.” He recommends, however, not consuming elderberry products if you are on immune system suppressants or suffering from any auto-immune diseases due to possible interactions.
Besides being delicious, elderberries are packed in nutrients. They have vitamins A and C and calcium, iron, sterols, and flavonoids, which have great antioxidant value. Also remember that all other parts of the plant, the bark, leaves, and wood, are poisonous and that elderberry clusters are flat on top, like cauliflower, not rounded like a globe, which will aid in their identification. One source reports to be cautious if taking chemotherapy as some compounds in elderberry flowers and berries have been noted to disrupt these drugs.