Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea (Blue Elderberry)

8/15/11 Onion Valley, Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra, Inyo County, CA

 8/16/04 Lundy Trail, Lundy Canyon, Eastern Sierra, Mono County, CA

8/16/04 Lundy Trail

4/12/03 Eaton Canyon Natural Area, San Gabriel Mountains, 
Los Angeles County, CA

 4/30/00 Gabrielino Trail (JPL to Oakwilde), Lower Arroyo Seco, 
San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, CA

 3/23/19 Harford Springs Reserve, Gavilan Hills, Riverside County, CA

3/23/19 Harford Springs Reserve

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Blue Elderberry

SPECIES: Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea

FAMILY: Adoxaceae (Muskroot Family) - Genus previously included in Caprifoliaceae

LIFE LIST DATE: 4/30/2000

LOCATION: Gabrielino Trail (JPL to Oakwilde), Lower Arroyo Seco, San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, CA

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From Jepson e-Flora:

Habit: Plant 2--8 m, generally as wide as tall. 

Leaf: leaflets 3--9, 3--20 cm, elliptic to ovate, glabrous to hairy, axis often bowed, base often asymmetric, tip acute to acuminate. 

Inflorescence: 4--33 cm diam, +- flat-topped; central axis generally not dominant. 

Flower: petals +- spreading. 

Fruit: +- black, densely white glaucous (appearing +- blue). 

Ecology: Common. Streambanks, open places in forest; 

Elevation: < 3000 m. 

Bioregional Distribution: CA-FP, GB, DMtns; 

Distribution Outside California: to British Columbia, Utah, New Mexico. 

Flowering Time: Mar--Sep 

Note: Variable, in need of study. 

Synonyms: Sambucus caerulea Raf.; Sambucus mexicana C. Presl ex DC., misal.

eFlora Treatment Author: Charles D. Bell