red-berried elder

The red-berried elder (Sambucus pubens) is a common North American shrub. It is characterized by small whitish flowers arranged in pointed clusters, followed by bright scarlet fruit.1

Elderberries, belonging to the genus Sambucus, are shrubs or small trees found in temperate and subtropical regions worldwide. These plants are deciduous, featuring compound leaves with toothed leaflets. They produce clusters of tiny, yellowish-white flowers that develop into berries. These berries can be red, blue-black, black, or yellow.2

While some elderberry species are cultivated for their berries, used in wines, jellies, pies, and traditional medicines, the red-berried elder specifically refers to Sambucus pubens with its distinctive scarlet fruit.12