Sambucus mexicana

Blue Elderberry

Usually found on slopes with brush, or at the edges of chaparral.

The photo above was taken at the top of Montevina Road.

The berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or in a drink like lemonade. The branches were used by Indians to make flutes. They would cut them in early spring, and let them dry. Later they would burn holes in the dried branches with a hot stick to make the flute.