Lots of folks are out harvesting elderberries, especially the North American native American Elderberry, or Sambucus Canadensis. Health benefits abound! BUT, many people are posting photos of Pokeweed or Pokeberry (also known as Pokesalat) on social media, and asking: Are these Elderberries?
NO! And knowing the difference when you’re harvesting elderberries is critical! Pokeweed berries are POISON, and will make you very sick. American Elderberries, on the other hand, are not poisonous (their European cousins, Sambucus Nigra, are mildly poisonous if not heated and prepared correctly).
Know Your Berries When Harvesting Elderberries!
People claim elderberries contain immunity boosting properties. I agree (but I’m no expert.) I do know, though, that pokeberries are poison! In this video, taken August, 2021 on my property near the #ChickamaugaNationalMilitaryPark in Northwest Georgia, I explain the difference between American Elderberry and Pokeweed.
In summary, it includes:
- Elderflowers (what elderberries grow from) are typically white and grow in umbrella-shaped clusters about the size of a large hand.
- Once the flowers fall off, the elderberries formed are tiny and are on umbrels shaped like umbrellas. Pokeberries are larger and on cylinder/cone-shaped groupings.
- While the end of the Elderberry branch may be white, green, or blood red, the lower branches (older growth) is grey or brown. In stark contrast, Pokeweed branches are bright blood red from the berries all the way down to the ground. Stems, trunks, everything is bright red.
- Elderberry leaves are in a grouping, with leaves directly across from each other. Pokeweed leaves alternate, and are not across from each other.
Bottom line is this: Pokeweed and pokeberries can make you very sick. If you don’t know the difference when you’re out harvesting elderberries, please find someone who can teach you what to look for. There’s no sense trying to harvest and cook elderberries for their health benefits, and making yourself sick by picking the wrong thing!
Be safe out there!
Dave at NaturesGuy.com and SpiritTreeFarms.com
