Viburnacae: Muskroot Family

Blue Elderberry – Sambucus mexicana

Blooms:

Mar–Sept

Plant Height:

2–8 m

Flower Size:

Large clusters

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Woodland, brushy slopes

Notes:

Common.  A large shrub / small tree with dense clusters of creamy-white flowers turning into blue berries.  The unripe berries and most other parts of the plant are poisonous. Berries are sometimes “glaucous”, i.e. covered in a waxy or powdery white film that is easily wiped off.  Can be identified from a distance, as the only shrub with large flower masses of this color.  Formerly called Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea.   Photos #1, 2 and 4 by CJH.

Elderberry, Blue
Elderberry, Blue
Elderberry, Blue

Laurustinus – Viburnum tinus

Blooms:

Oct–Mar

Plant Height:

up to 6 m

Flower Size:

Large clusters

Origin:

Mediterranean

Habitat:

Woodland

Notes:

Probably a garden escape.  The laurel-like leaves could be mistaken for Western Red Dogwood (Cornus sericea subsp. occientalis), but the clusters of five-petaled white flowers are quite different from the cruciform flowers typical of the dogwood.