American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a spreading North American shrub with broad clusters of small purple black berries. Fully ripe, cooked fruit is used in preserves, baking and juice, while the shrubs provide food and cover for wildlife.

Summer flower clusters stand above the foliage, followed by fruit later in the season. The shrub tolerates occasional wetness and spreads by suckers, making it useful for naturalized hedges where it has room to form a thicket.

Use only fully ripe berries cooked, with stems removed. Unripe berries, leaves and stems are not edible.