7 Weeds That Look Like Elderberry Plants

Elderberry plants such as Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis produce edible berries that are commonly used in jams, jellies, juices, wines, and syrups. However, some weeds also produce berries that look similar to elderberries, making identification tricky. Consuming certain elderberry lookalike weeds can make you sick. This article will help you identify 7 common weeds that resemble elderberry, including whether they are edible or toxic.

How to Identify Elderberry Plants

Elderberry plants are multi-stemmed deciduous shrubs or small trees growing up to 20 feet tall. The bark is brownish-gray with corky ridges. Leaves are dark green pinnately compound with 5-9 leaflets having serrated margins.

Elderberry produces large, flat clusters of tiny white or cream flowers in late spring. The flowers develop into clusters of small berries that ripen to black, dark purple, bluish-black or dark red depending on variety.

7 Weeds That Can Be Confused With Elderberry

1. Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

Pokeweed is a common perennial weed with an upright habit reaching up to 10 feet tall. Stems are reddish-purple with elongated oval leaves. Small greenish-white flowers on racemes produce dark purple to black berries resembling elderberries.

Toxicity: All parts of pokeweed are poisonous to humans. Pokeweed berries and roots are extremely toxic when eaten and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even death.

2. Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)

Also called prickly ash or prickly elder, this deciduous shrub grows up to 20 feet tall. Stems, branches and leafstalks are covered in sharp spines, giving rise to the common name devil’s walking stick. Large, doubly pinnate leaves resemble elderberry. Flowers are cream-colored, producing clusters of purplish-black berries.

Toxicity Berries are mildly toxic, especially when unripe Avoid consumption.

3. Water Hemlock (Cicuta spp.)

Water hemlock is an upright perennial herb reaching up to 8 feet tall commonly found in wet areas. Stems are smooth, hollow and branched. Flowers are small, white umbels resembling elderberry flowers. The foliage is pinnately compound. This plant produces clusters of green seeds that turn brown.

Toxicity: Extremely poisonous. All parts are toxic, especially the roots. Even small amounts can cause seizures, respiratory paralysis and death.

4. American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)

A tall perennial herb with reddish stems and elongated oval leaves. Flowers are greenish-white on long drooping clusters Berries start out green and ripen to dark purple-black Grows up to 10 feet tall in waste areas, along roadsides and woodland edges.

Toxicity: All parts are highly poisonous, with the berries and roots being extremely toxic when ingested. Can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and even death.

5. Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Also called deadly nightshade, this herbaceous perennial in the nightshade family reaches 5 feet tall. Oval leaves occur in pairs along the reddish, branching stem. Bell-shaped purple flowers produce shiny black berries that resemble elderberries. Prefers well-drained soil in woodlands and thickets.

Toxicity: Extremely poisonous. All parts contain toxic tropane alkaloids such as atropine. Can be fatal if ingested.

6. Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

An invasive, deciduous shrub reaching 20 feet tall with shiny green, oval leaves with toothed margins. Clusters of small greenish flowers produce berry-like fruits that turn from red to dark purple-black. Often found along roadsides, vacant lots, and woodland edges.

Toxicity: Fruits are toxic if eaten in large quantities, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

7. Wild Grape (Vitis spp.)

Climbing woody vines found in fields, forest edges, thickets and along roadsides. Leaves are alternately arranged, simple with toothed margins. Small greenish flowers produce clusters of grapes that start out green and ripen to purple-black.

Toxicity: Wild grapes are edible when fully ripe. Unripe fruits may cause stomach upset. Foliage and stems contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals.

Tips for Safely Identifying Elderberry

• Examine the plant’s habitat – elderberries prefer moist areas along streams, ditches and marshes. Toxic lookalikes like water hemlock and belladonna occupy different habitats.

• Look for thorns or spines on the stem. Elderberry stems are smooth without thorns while devil’s walking stick has sharp spines.

• Crush the leaves and smell. Pokeweed leaves give off a foul, unpleasant odor. Elderberry foliage has a musky, sweet scent.

• Examine the flowers. Elderberry has large clusters of tiny cream or white flowers unlike the greenish flowers of pokeweed.

• Ensure berries are completely ripe before harvesting. Unripe elderberries and pokeweed can cause nausea.

• When in doubt, avoid ingesting unknown berries or plant parts. Some elderberry lookalikes are deadly poisonous.

Identifying elderberry can be tricky due to similar-looking weeds and shrubs. When foraging, go with an experienced person and cross-reference multiple field guides. Only harvest elderberries when you’re 100% certain of the identification. Avoid plants with thorns, spines or toxic lookalike features. With caution, proper identification and care, elderberries can be a tasty and healthy wild edible.

Yes, there are poisonous berries that can be mistaken for elderberries.