CAPRIFOLIACEAE 253 



Key to the Elder Species 



Uppermost pair of leaflets definitely, if only shortly, stalked ; 



mature fruit black S. canadensis 



Uppermost pair of leaflets sessile ; mature fruit bright red 



S. pubens 



SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS Linnaeus 

 Elderberry American Elder 



The Elderberry, fig. 67, Is an erect, only somewhat woody 

 shrub 4 to 12 feet high with gray bark, large pith, and smooth 

 branches and branchlets. The odd-pinnately compound leaves, 

 6 to 10 inches long, consist of 5 to 11 but commonly 5 or 7 

 toothed leaflets set oppositely In pairs along the rachis. Each 

 leaflet is ovate to lanceolate, up to 6 inches long by 2l/^ inches 

 wide, closely and finely serrate on the margin, abruptly nar- 

 rowed at the apex to a short or long point, and narrowed or 

 rounded asymmetrically at the base. The surface is smooth 

 above but more or less pubescent on the midrib or veins be- 

 neath. Lateral leaflets usually stand on short stalks, the ter- 

 minal one on a definitely longer stalk. 



The Inflorescence is usually a 5-branched, compound cyme 

 bearing numerous small, white flowers, which blossom from 

 early In June through most of August. The fruit, which begins 

 to mature In late August, is a small, spherical, black berry less 

 than ]/\ Inch in diameter with crimson juice. It contains 3 to 5 

 small seeds. 



Distribution. — The Elderberry grows in moist soil along 

 streams, about lakes, and In open woodlands from Nova Scotia 

 to Manitoba and south to Florida and Texas. In Illinois, it 

 ranges through the entire state and may be expected In any 

 place where there Is suitable soil and an abundance of light. 

 Frequently It becomes a nuisance as a weed, since, if cut ofl 

 above the ground, It will sprout from the roots. Shrubs with 

 leaflets grayish green and soft-pubescent beneath are distin- 

 guished as var. submoUis Rehder. 



SAMBUCUS PUBENS Michaux 

 Scarlet Elder 



The Scarlet Elder, fig. 67, is an erect shrub 4 to 10 feet 

 high w^th stems covered by warty bark and with smooth, gray 



