Standard English Name(s): coastal red elder or elderberry
Local English Name(s) (if different from above): red elderberry
Scientific Name(s): Sambucus racemosa L.
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s): sth’iwuq’ (fruit), sth’iwuq’ulhp (shrub)
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s): th’iwuq’ (fruit), th’iwuq’ulhp (shrub)
Island Halkomelem Name(s): th’iwuq’ (fruit)

Description, Habitat, Ecology, & Distribution:
     Red elderberry is a large shrub to small tree (to 6 m [ca. 20 ft] tall) that produces creamy white flowers and large clusters of small red berries. It occurs along streambanks, swampy thickets, moist clearings, and open forests from sea level to middle elevations throughout the coast.

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

Downriver Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
Island Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
     The fruits are edible, but are cooked before eating.

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.