Safety note: Unripe berries, leaves, and bark are toxic if ingested raw.
American Elderberry is one of the most valuable native shrubs for wildlife in eastern North America, producing large, flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers in summer followed by clusters of dark purple berries in August. Over 50 bird species consume the berries, making it one of the top-ranked wildlife shrubs. The flat-topped flowers support enormous numbers of insects.
Habitat
Moist thickets, forest edges, stream banks, and disturbed areas
Diet
Berries consumed by over 50 bird species; flowers support hundreds of insect species
How common
Common
Recent American Elderberry sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a American Elderberry? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free