Easy Ways To Identify Elderberry: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Identify Elderberry PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Identifying Habitat, Bark, and Leaves
    • |
  • Finding Flowers and Fruit
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 71,011 times.

The elderberry plant is a fruiting plant that is native to North America, Europe, and parts of South America. The berries of the plant are often used in homeopathic remedies for pain and the common cold. If you want to identify an elderberry plant in your area, look for clusters of small white flowers, drooping purple fruit, and hard, woody bark. Never eat the seeds, stems, leaves, or roots of the elderberry plant, as they are poisonous in high doses.[1]

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Identifying Habitat, Bark, and Leaves

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  1. Step 1 Look for a 9 to 12 ft (2.7 to 3.7 m) tall shrub. 1 Look for a 9 to 12 ft (2.7 to 3.7 m) tall shrub. Elderberry most commonly grows in a bushy, shrub-like pattern. They often start at a small base in the ground and then billow outwards. Mature elderberry plants can range from 9 to 12 feet (2.7 to 3.7 m) tall.[2]
    • Elderberry can also grow in a small, single-stem tree pattern, but that is much less common.
    • European elderberries can grow to up to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall.[3]
  2. Step 2 Search for elderberry in the banks of streams, marshes, or moist forests. 2 Search for elderberry in the banks of streams, marshes, or moist forests. Elderberry plants love to grow in moist habitats that have a lot of drainage. If you think you are looking at an elderberry but you aren’t quite sure, check to see if you are near a stream or if the soil is moist or damp.[4]
    • Elderberry is native to most of North America and Europe, and can also be found in some parts of South America.
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  3. Step 3 Spot woody brown bark that gets harder with age. 3 Spot woody brown bark that gets harder with age. New growth on an elderberry plant is smooth and brown, but it gets harder and more wood-like later on. Check large plants for woody brown bark that feels tough and is hard to bend. The oldest part of the plant will most likely be toward the base.[5]
    • If you break a younger branch you will often find it is soft or hollow in the middle.[6]
    • Old growth on an elderberry plant will need a tool to cut through it, like loppers or a saw.
    • The elderberry plant can look similar to a water hemlock, but a water hemlock has a green stem with purple streaks, not woody brown bark.[7] Water hemlock is poisonous and should not be eaten.
  4. Step 4 Find long, pointed, light green leaves that have serrated edges. 4 Find long, pointed, light green leaves that have serrated edges. The leaves of the elderberry plant are light green and can be anywhere from 2 to 5 inches (5.1 to 12.7 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide. Feel the edges of the leaves to see if they are finely serrated and check for a thin point at the end of the leaves.

    Tip: If you touch the leaves, they may be slightly hairy.

  5. Step 5 Look for groups of 5 to 11 leaves that grow opposite from each other. 5 Look for groups of 5 to 11 leaves that grow opposite from each other. The leaves of an elderberry plant grow in groups of 5 to 11 on 1 branch. They grow opposite from each other, meaning that 2 leaves grow directly across the branch from each other out of the same node.[8]
    • A cluster of 7 leaves on 1 branch is the most common.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Finding Flowers and Fruit

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  1. Step 1 Find small, white flowers with 5 rounded petals that bloom in the summer. 1 Find small, white flowers with 5 rounded petals that bloom in the summer. One of elderberry’s most identifying traits is its flowers that bloom on the ends of branched stalks (like the head of a cow parsnip).[9] In July and August, the elderberry plant explodes in small, white-colored flowers that most often have 5 petals. They are usually 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) wide with 5 small stamens, or long skinny stalks, at the top.[10]
    • When in bloom, the elderberry plant creates a stark contrast between the green leaves and the white flowers.
    • European elderberries bloom a few months earlier than American elderberries.[11]
  2. Step 2 Watch for flat clusters of flowers in the summer. 2 Watch for flat clusters of flowers in the summer. Elderberry flowers don’t grow individually. Instead, they form clusters at the top of the elderberry plant that create a “flat” effect. From far away, these clusters can look like large, individual flowers.[12]
    • The “flat” effect is created because the tops of each flower is flat. When they are grouped together, this look becomes more prominent.
  3. Step 3 Identify purple or black fleshy fruit in the late summer. 3 Identify purple or black fleshy fruit in the late summer. Elderberry plants produce elderberries in July and August that look rather like black currants.[13] This fruit grows in clusters of 10 to 20 and each individual fruit is less than 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) wide. As the fruit matures, the branches will bend from their weight.[14]
    • Red elderberry bears bright red fruit.[15]
    • Aralia plants also bear purple, fleshy fruit that can look similar to elderberries. If the plant has spikes or thorns on the stems and branches, it is most likely an aralia plant and you should not eat the berries since they are mildly poisonous.[16]

    Tip: Elderberries are edible and are often used in recipes and homeopathic remedies.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What does elderberry flowers look like? Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer The common elderberry has large leaves and sprays of tiny white flowers that occur on the ends of branched stalks. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • Question Do elderberry flowers turn into berries? Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer The white flowers from the common elderberry turn to small fruits that are green when unripe and a dark blue or black when ripe Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
  • Question What does the wood of an elderberry tree look like? Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. Michael Simpson, PhD Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist Expert Answer The wood is distinctive as it is less dense than on most other shrubs and trees. If you break a branch you will often find it is soft or hollow in the middle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
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Tips

  • If you harvest excess elderberry, then you can dry and store it for future use. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings

  • Elderberry seeds, stems, leaves, and roots are poisonous to humans and animals if eaten in large quantities.[17] However, elderberry juice and syrup might be effective in treating a cold if prepared with the proper precautions. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/common-elderberry
  2. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-canadensis/
  3. ↑ https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/elderberry-bush-varieties.htm
  4. ↑ https://webapps15.dnr.state.mn.us/restore_your_shore/plants/plant_detail/325
  5. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-canadensis/
  6. ↑ Michael Simpson, PhD. Registered Professional Biologist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/2018/01/31/elderberry-vs-water-hemlock/
  8. ↑ Michael Simpson, PhD. Registered Professional Biologist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ Michael Simpson, PhD. Registered Professional Biologist. Expert Interview
More References (8)
  1. ↑ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/common-elderberry
  2. ↑ https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/elderberry/elderberry-bush-varieties.htm
  3. ↑ https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/sambucus-canadensis/
  4. ↑ Michael Simpson, PhD. Registered Professional Biologist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/common-elderberry
  6. ↑ http://nativeplantspnw.com/red-elderberry-sambucus-racemosa/
  7. ↑ https://www.nybg.org/files/scientists/rnaczi/Mistaken_Identity_Final.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/common-elderberry

About This Article

Michael Simpson, PhD Co-authored by: Michael Simpson, PhD Registered Professional Biologist This article was co-authored by Michael Simpson, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Michael Simpson (Mike) is a Registered Professional Biologist in British Columbia, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in ecology research and professional practice in Britain and North America, with an emphasis on plants and biological diversity. Mike also specializes in science communication and providing education and technical support for ecology projects. Mike received a BSc with honors in Ecology and an MA in Society, Science, and Nature from The University of Lancaster in England as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. He has worked in British, North American, and South American ecosystems, and with First Nations communities, non-profits, government, academia, and industry. This article has been viewed 71,011 times. 31 votes - 97% Co-authors: 9 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 71,011 Categories: Plant Identification In other languagesJapanese
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