Plant Name:  Elderberry Tree

Botanical Name:  Sambucus  Mexicana

Note:  The elderberry trees found in the garden were donated during the time when it was originally the Southwestern Edible Garden.  It is unknown which variety we have.  We only know they are a sambucus species.  The elderberry, however, that was used by the Cahuillan people was “Sambucus Mexicana.”  This is the species we will describe in this narrative.

Native Name:  Hunqwat

Height/Physical Description:  10 to 30 feet in height and 8 to 20 feet in width.  Bright to dark green leaves and white or creamy white flowers in Spring and Summer.  

Use:  Food, medicine and tools.  The berries are edible and the flowers were used as a medicinal tea.  The juice squeezed from the berries and stems were used for dye in basket making.  The twigs could be used to make whistles.

Harvesting:  The berries were harvested in large quantity from July through August.

Preparation:  The berries could be eaten fresh, dried or used to make elderberry sauce.  The flowers could be brewed into a tea that was used to treat fevers, upset stomachs, colds and the flu.