Red Elderberry & Toxic Berries

Identification

• American elderberries grow 4 to 12 feet high and grow near ditches and along roadsides in moist, cool climates. They have green foliage, creamy blossoms and clusters of round berries that ripen in the fall. Cultivated species may have black or green leaves and purple or black fruit. The European elderberry (Sambucus pubens) has fruit that is toxic to eat raw or when unripe.

Considerations

• The ripe berries of European elderberries are safe to eat cooked, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The ripe purple or black berries have long been used to treat colds, infections and flu symptoms. Eating red, unripe berries raw may cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Accidental Ingestion

• Eating raw elderberries is not likely to prove fatal, although stomach upset is a common complaint. If ingested, drink plenty of water to help dilute the irritating substances. In cases of severe vomiting or diarrhea, go to the nearest medical facility.

Cautions

• If you have young children, teach them not to eat the berries raw. Raw, unripe fruit is very tart and somewhat bitter, making it unlikely that they would consume more than one or two berries. Plant the berries in a fenced area as a safeguard.