Standard English Name(s): blue elderberry
Local English Name(s) (if different from above):
Scientific Name(s): Sambucus cerulea Raf.
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s): th’ikwukw (fruit), th’ikwukwulhp (shrub)
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s): th’ikwukw (fruit), th’ikwukwulhp (shrub)
Island Halkomelem Name(s): th’uykwikw (fruit)

Description, Habitat, Ecology, & Distribution:
     Blue elderberry is found on southern Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland of British Columbia south to California. It is similar to red elderberry, but bears blue fruits covered with a whitish coating. It grows on dry to moist, fairly open, low elevation sites.

Upriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
     The berries were cooked and sweetened before eating. They were also used as medicine for constipation.

Downriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
Island Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):

CAUTION: This species may be harmful. It produces toxic substances (a poisonous alkaloid and cyanogenic glycoside) in all plant parts. The concentrations are much lower in the flowers and unripe fruits, however, and the ripe fruits are regarded as edible.