Black Elderberry vs Water Arum - TreeTime.ca

Black Elderberry vs Water Arum

Calla palustris

Sambucus canadensis

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Water Arum
Black Elderberry

Water Arum is a native perennial wetland plant known for its showy white oval sheaths (spathe) that surround a yellow-green, cylindrical flower spike (spadix). It has large, oblong, heart-shaped leaves on stems that rise above the water from shallow, spreading rhizomes. The blossoms are followed in late summer by tiny, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to bright red, adding ornamental interest to wet habitats.

Water Arum provides food for birds and small mammals that eat its berries, and its flowers attract pollinators. It can tolerate cold climates and forms colonies in shallow water and saturated soils. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, riparian planting, naturalisation, and habitat projects in wet and shaded environments.

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 Arum Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: any
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic if ingested

Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: white sheath around and yellow spike
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Bloom time: spring to summer
Berries: red, in clusters
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: bog arum, swamp lily, wild calla, wild dragon
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry