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Sambucus (canadensis)

Bree A Sands
Propagation & Greenhouse Coordinator
Greenbelt Native Plant Center
3808 Victory Blvd
Staten Island, New York 10314
3476620346
bree.sands@parks.nyc.gov
gillyflowernursery.com

Family Scientific Name: Adoxaceae
Family Common Name: Moschatel Family
Scientific Name: Sambucus canadensis (L.) Rydb.
Common Name: Eastern Black Elderberry
Species Code: SAMNCA
General Distribution: Eastern North America
Known Invasiveness: Non-invasive
Propagation Goal: Plants
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Time To Grow: 120 days
Target Specifications: Healthy, vigorous seedlings ready for transplanting
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected in late summer to early fall when berries are mature. Locations in NYC and Hudson Valley
Propagule Processing: Remove seeds from berries, rinse to eliminate pulp.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Scarify seeds gently by hand with sandpaper, then soak for 24 hours in water. Mix seeds with moist sand and place in cold-dark conditions for 120 days.
Alternatively, the tumbler method can be used: scarify seeds in a tumbler with water and 60/90 grit for 1 hour, followed by a 24-hour soak, then warm moist in a bag of sand for 30 days, and finally cold moist for 60-90 days.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Prepare well-drained soil in a sunny location. Maintain moisture.
Length of Establishment Phase: 30 to 60 days
Length of Active Growth Phase: 6 to 8 weeks
Length of Hardening Phase: 4 to 6 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Can store seeds for >5 years if kept cool and dry.
Outplanting performance on typical sites: Outplant seedlings in spring or fall, ensuring they are well-watered during establishment.
Other Comments: Fresh seeds may germinate in warm, moist conditions; floating seeds may indicate good viability. Seeds may be sensitive to chlorine.
References: USDA Plants Database. (n.d.). Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Rydberg. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=SANIC2

Dirr, M. A. (2011). Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs. Timber Press.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). Native Plants for New York State. Retrieved from https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/49880.html

Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Sambucus canadensis. Retrieved from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280108

McClain, W. E., & W. E. (2000). The Elderberry: An Overview of Its Cultivation and Uses. University of North Carolina Press.

Citation:

2024. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Sambucus canadensis (L.) Rydb. Plants Greenbelt Native Plant Center Staten Island, New York. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/20). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.