Habitat

Ecozone(s):

Boreal Shield
Atlantic Maritime
Mixedwood Plains
Boreal Plains
Taiga Cordillera
Boreal Cordillera
Hudson Plains

Natural Habitat(s):

Woodland (35-60% cover)
Savannah (25-35% cover)
Forest Edge
Wet Meadow/Prairie/Field (less than 25% cover)
Riparian (edge)
Rocky Bluff

Habitat Garden(s):

Bird
Hedgerow / Thicket / Windbreak / Screening
Woodland

Erosion Control? Yes

Characteristics

Growing Conditions

* Plant Type:

Shrub

Moisture Requirements: Moist, Wet

Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade

Soil Requirements: Clay, Sand, Loam

Temperature Zone: 2

Evergreen?

No

Average Height:

0.6 to 6 m

Tolerances:

Flower Info

Fruit/Seed Info

Showy flowers?

Yes

Showy fruit/seeds?

Yes

Bloom time:

May to Jul

Edible for humans?

Yes

Flower Colour(s):

White/Cream

Fruit/Seed Colour(s):

Red

Miscellaneous

Uses

Fragrant Flowers?

No

Urban Oasis, Stewards in the City, and Eco Superior are specific Evergreen programs that some plants are used in.

Fragrant Foliage?

No

Program & Other Uses:

Stewards in the City
Culinary
Medicinal
Aboriginal

Fall colours?

Yes

Distinctive bark?

No

Poisonous to humans?

Yes

Thorns or prickles?

No

Attracts wildlife?

Squirrels
Birds
Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Bees
Other Showy Insects

Larval host for:

Provincial tree/flower?

Plant Watch species?

Interesting Tidbits

References

POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Low toxicity if eaten, not edible. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma. Toxic Principle: Cyanogenic glycoside and alkaloid.

Inedible while raw, the berries can be made into wine.

The bark and the leaves are used as a diuretic and purgative. [Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R.]

The blossoms have been used in the treatment of measles. [Moerman. D.]

The stem is easily hollowed and can be used to make a whistle. [Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R.]

Softwood cuttings can be taken in early summer, or hardwood cuttings in the winter. Seeds can be sown in a cold frame in the fall.

Children have been poisoned when they used the hollowed out stems for peashooters. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Though many people think (incorrectly) that the fruit is poisonous, it was eaten widely by British Columbia First Peoples. Clusters of berries were gathered in July and August. Berries were detached back at camp and cooked overnight in steaming pits or boiled in red cedar boxes. Berries were placed over fires on skunk cabbage leaves and dried into cakes for later use. To improve the flavour, red elderberries were mixed with other kinds of berries. Recently people mix the berries with sugar and make wine jelly or jam. (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

School Grounds Transformation

Native American Ethnobotany Da

David Suzuki Foundation

USDA PLANTS Database

Wild Flower Centre

Shrubs of Ontario
Soper, J.H. and M.L. Heimburger
ROM
1982
ISBN 0-88854-283-6

William Carey Grimm
The Illustrated Book of Wildflowers and Shrubs
Stackpole Books
1993
ISBN 0-8117-3085-9