59 Records

Elders are shrubs or small trees with opposite, compound leaves. The Maryland species are readily identified whenever flowers or fruits are present. Black Elderberry produces flowers and fruits in a cyme, giving the inflorescence a flat dome shape; the mature fruits are black. Red Elderberry produces flowers in a panicle that is typically taller than wide giving the inflorescence a narrow pyramidal or conical shape; the mature fruits are red.

Black and Red Elderberries can also sometimes be distinguished by their leaves. Black Elderberry has leaves with 5-11 leaflets; the lower leaflets are sometimes divided. Red Elderberry has leaves with 5-7 leaflets and the lowest leaflets are not further divided.

Red Elderberry is often found on rocky slopes in hardwood forests in the mountains.