Native red-berried elder confirmed growing wild in Halifax
iNaturalist: danielblais
Native Plants
If you're walking a trail edge or woodland margin in Nova Scotia this time of year, this is the shrub with the bright red berry clusters and it's a native food source for birds, not the more familiar blue elderberry used in syrups.
Someone out exploring in Halifax spotted a red-berried elder shrub and logged it on iNaturalist with photos good enough for experts to confirm the species. This kind of sighting helps scientists know exactly where this native plant is actually growing right now, which matters for anyone tracking how our local ecosystems are doing.
Key Findings
Observation reached 'research-grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the identification was verified by the community.
Sighting location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Species identified as Sambucus racemosa, distinct from the more commonly foraged blue elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a sighting of red-berried elder, a native shrub with bright red berry clusters, growing in Halifax, Nova Scotia, giving researchers a verified data point for tracking this species' range.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa) observed in Halifax, CA-NS, CA
Research-grade observation of red-berried elder in Halifax, CA-NS, CA.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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Sambucus racemosa is a species of elder known by the common names red-berried elder and red elderberry. It produces a red drupe.