Just a word of caution on elderberries. While the berries are perfectly innocuous, the stems have a toxin in them. I once ran into an elderberry bush on a very hot, dry hike, and being impatient, stripped the berries off of their umbels with my teeth. Fifteen minutes later I was vomiting very dramatically and I was sick for a couple days.
Regards,
Jay
Jay Cutts
Director, Cutts Graduate Reviews
Lead Author, Barron's Test Prep Publications
800-353-4898 day or eve, 7 days
(In NM, 505-281-0684)
On 7/13/2010 5:44 PM, Richard MURPHY wrote:
Elderberry branches seem to have zits all over them. The branches also have a very soft pith. The umbels of berries have a single small twig on either side, and the umbels snap right off when the berries are ripe. Umbels hang upside down when ripe, and the berries are dark purple. You pick the whole umbel. If they are not upside down, either they aren't ripe, or not elders!
York, Nova, Adams and Johns are excellent Sambucus Canadensis. I have them growing in zone 4. Not sure about 3. Goto St. Lawrence Nursery website and check. THey're z 3.
Murph
R A Murphy Jr
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