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Red Elderberry
Sambucus pubens

a.k.a. Red Elder, Sambucus racemosa

Red Elderberry has small, fragrant white flowers that bloom late spring to early summer. Its red berries should not be consumed raw though they are attractive to wildlife.

USDA symbol: SARA2

General Information

Plant TypeShrub
Height12 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun, Shade
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorWhite
Red Elderberry (Red Elderberry<div><em class="small">Sambucus pubens</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience6
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceFire Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsApril to June
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Stem Nesting, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeErosion Control, Restoration, Sandy or Engineered Soils
Coefficient of Conservatism5
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationDeep
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands