Sambucus canadensis, commonly known as American elderberry, is a vigorous, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern and central North America, where it thrives in moist lowlands, forest edges, and along stream banks. Reaching heights of 2 to 4 meters, it forms broad, arching clumps covered in compound leaves composed of five to eleven sharply serrated leaflets, giving the plant a lush, textured appearance throughout the growing season. In early to mid-summer, Sambucus canadensis bursts into bloom with large, flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers that emit a light, sweet fragrance and attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By late summer, these blossoms give way to heavy drooping clusters of small, glossy black to dark purple berries, which provide essential food for many species of birds and mammals. The fruit is also prized by humans for making preserves, wines, syrups, and herbal remedies, thanks to its rich antioxidant and vitamin content. Adaptable and hardy, the American elderberry prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and readily spreads by root suckers to form thickets. In addition to its ecological value as a wildlife resource, Sambucus canadensis is an attractive ornamental shrub for naturalized gardens, rain gardens, and native landscape plantings, where its graceful form, abundant flowers, and generous fruit display bring both beauty and biodiversity to the environment.