Blue Elder, Blue Elderberry, Southwestern Elderberry
Sambucus cerulea
Synonyms: Sambucus caerulea, Sambucus caerulea var. neomexicana, Sambucus caerulea var. velutina, Sambucus cerulea, Sambucus cerulea var. cerulea, Sambucus cerulea var. neomexicana, Sambucus cerulea var. velutina, Sambucus glauca, Sambucus mexicana, Sambucus mexicana ssp. caerulea, Sambucus mexicana var. caerulea, Sambucus mexicana ssp. cerulea, Sambucus mexicana var. cerulea, Sambucus neomexicana, Sambucus neomexicana var. vestita, Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea, Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea, Sambucus velutina
The photo above shows a close-up of the flat-topped
inflorescence and pinnately compound leaves of blue elderberry as seen at about
4100' along the ridgetop dividing the Cougar and Dairy Creek drainages at the
southeastern corner of Mt. Adams.........July 10, 2005.
Blue elderberry in bloom along the Willard Springs Trail near the refuge headquarters, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge......June 15, 2025.
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Maturing fruits at left of blue elderberry as spotted along the Willard Springs Trail, Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge......August 26, 2018. The photo at right shows a close-up of the pinnately compound leaves
of blue elderberry as seen at about 3000' on the southeastern slopes of Mt.
Adams.......June 19, 2005.
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Blue elderberry blooming in the garden plantings around the rest area at the BZ Corners boat launch......June 9, 2022.
Paul Slichter