Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Black Elderberry (Sambucus melanocarpa) is a native shrub that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Cascade Range Foothills, the High Cascade Range and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in streamsides and edges of meadow, at elevations from 6000-12000 feet.

Plant type

Shrub, Tree

Size

3 - 7 ft Tall

Calscape icon
Color

Cream

Special uses

Hedge

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Moderate

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 4*, 5*, 6, 7

Site type

Streamsides, edges of meadow

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 13 likely

Confirmed Likely

Acerra normalis

Admetovis oxymorus

Polyphemus moth

Antheraea polyphemus

Alfalfa Looper Moth

Autographa californica