Country Ecology: The elderberries

As we enjoy the Fourth of July week, I look forward to observing our two species of native elderberries. Scarlet or red-berried elder is beginning to produce bright red fruits around my house as its descriptive name implies. Its yellowish-white blossoms looked something like the lilac's clusters earlier in spring.

These numerous small flowers are in showy, elongated clusters when they bloom then. Now, the common or American elder is profusely blossoming, as if patriotically celebrating our national holiday with cascading skyrockets of blossoms out in the swamp lands, and barnyards it also resides in.