Spring Wildflowers

With the pipeline construction complete on Maureen Brady's property, I was glad to see the pipeline route had missed most of the Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) bushes on her property.

The elderberry produces clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black or blue-black berries in the late summer.



The leaves, twigs, branches, seeds and roots contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside. Ingesting any of these parts in sufficient quantity can cause a toxic build up of cyanide in the body. "Herbal teas" made with elderberry leaves (which contain cyanogenic glycosides) should be treated with caution. However, ripe berries (pulp and skin) are safe to eat. Wine and jelly can be produced from the berries.

A close-up view of the small flowers in a cluster.