Water Sedge vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Water Sedge vs Black Elderberry

Carex aquatilis

Sambucus canadensis

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Water Sedge
Black Elderberry

Water Sedge is a waterside grass which grows an extensive horizontal root system. This prevents erosion and allows it to grow back after being eaten.

Water sedge is grazed by many animals including cattle, sheep, horses and waterfowl. Animals choose Water Sedge for forage later in the year as it stays green longer than other plants, requiring you to buy feed for less of the year.

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Water Sedge Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Foliage: long thin leaves
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: green and brown
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: black
Seeds: achenes
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: leafy tussock sedge
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry