Red Elderberry

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Red elderberry, or red berried elder, is a shrub that is grows in Europe, Asia, and North America across Canada and the US.  It grows best in moist climates and is usually found on hillsides that are near running water. 

 

This shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall, but is usually between 7 and 13 feet. The flowers from this plant are beatiful white clusters that appear late spring or early summer, and are followed by vibrant red berries that have been used as food and medicine for centuries. The berries have also been used as a food color additive, while the berry twigs have been used as a dye. The woody stem can be hollowed out to make flutes, blowguns, and other tools.

 

While the berries are edible and packed with vitamins when eaten cooked, they are poisinous when consumed raw.  They are loaded with  cyanogenic glycosides that can cause nasuea, vomiting, and other illness, so just be sure to cook them before consuming.