American elder
General poisoning notes:
American elder (Sambucus canadensis) is a native shrub found in the moist soils of swamps and along rivers and lakes in eastern Canada. This plant contains cyanogenic glycosides and a cathartic chemical. The plant has poisoned cattle and perhaps sheep. Children were poisoned after using the hollow stems for whistles. Ingesting uncooked berries may cause nausea (Kingsbury 1964, Muenscher 1978). Red-berried elder (Sambucus pubens) is a native shrub found from Newfoundland to Manitoba. There are unsubstantiated reports that this species may also have toxic potential. Children should not be allowed to chew the stems or berries.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Sambucus canadensis L.
Vernacular name(s): American elder
Scientific family name: Caprifoliaceae
Vernacular family name: honeysuckle
Sambucus canadensis L.
Geographic Information
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
Animals were poisoned after ingesting young shoots and leaves. Children were also poisoned when they used the hollow stems as whistles. Uncooked berries may cause nausea (Muenscher 1975).
Toxic parts:
Leaves, pollen, young shoots
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Cyanogenic glycosides are found in elders. Sambunigrin and other chemicals may be involved. Cathartics may also be present (Kingsbury 1964, Tewe and Iyayi 1989).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Sambunigrin
Sambunigrin
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cattle
General symptoms of poisoning:
Abdominal pains
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Nausea, vomiting
Notes on poisoning:
Apparently, the use of the hollow stems as whistles or blowpipes has caused poisoning in children. The bark contains a cathartic. Ingesting uncooked berries can cause nausea and vomiting. Cooked are not harmful if eaten in small amounts (Kingsbury 1964).
