CAPRIFOLIACEAE

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY

Lauramay T. Dempster

Subshrub, shrub, vine, or small tree
Leaves opposite, simple or compound; stipules generally 0
Flower: calyx tube fused to ovary, limb generally 5-lobed; corolla radial or bilateral, rotate to cylindric, generally 5-lobed; stamens generally 5, epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes; ovary inferior, 1–5-chambered, style l
Fruit: berry, drupe, or capsule
Genera in family: ± 12 genera, 450 species: especially n temp
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Valerianaceae (and Dispaceae); Sambucus, Viburnum recently treated in Adoxaceae

SAMBUCUS

ELDERBERRY

Large shrub (or small tree generally lacking main trunk), deciduous
Stem: pith conspicuous, spongy
Leaves pinnately (rarely bipinnately) compound, with terminal leaflet; leaflets serrate
Inflorescence: panicle made up of cymes, terminal
Flower small; calyx 5-toothed; corolla radial, rotate, 5-lobed, white or cream; ovary chambers 3–5, ovules 1 per chamber and suspended from its top, style short, stigmas 3–5
Fruit: drupe
Seeds 3–5
Etymology: (Greek, the name of a musical instrument made from wood of this genus)
Species in genus: 20 species: temp, subtropical; some cultivated as ornamental. TOXIC in quantity (except cooked fruits).

Native

S. racemosa L.

RED ELDERBERRY

Shrub 2–6 m
Leaf: leaflets 5–7, 6–16 cm, lanceolate to oblong-ovate, base generally asymmetric, tip gradually acuminate
Inflorescence 6–10 cm diam, ± dome-shaped; central axis remaining dominant throughout development
Fruit generally bright red, not glaucous
Ecology: Moist places
Elevation: < 3300 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, San Bernardino Mountains, n East of Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: to Alaska, Colorado, Arizona

Native

var. racemosa

Leaf: leaflets stiffly hairy beneath, especially along veins
Ecology: Moist woods, open flats in ± coastal places
Elevation: < 1800 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, w Klamath Ranges, Outer North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area
Distribution outside California: to Alaska
Horticultural information: 4, 5, IRR: 6, 15, 16, 17, 24 &SHD: 7, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.