Sambucus mexicana
| Sambucus mexicana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sambucus mexicana growing in the UNLV Arboretum, USA | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Viburnaceae |
| Genus: | Sambucus |
| Species: | S. mexicana |
| Binomial name | |
| Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC.[1] | |
It is native to northern Mexico and southwestern USA[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
| |
Sambucus mexicana is a species of deciduous shrub or tree[2] in the family Viburnaceae native to northern Mexico and southwestern USA.[1]
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Sambucus mexicana is a 2–8 m tall,[3] rounded, multi-trunked,[4] short lived,[5] deciduous shrub or tree[2] with green,[6] pinnate leaves composed of 5–9 oppositely arranged,[2] glabrous to pubescent, elliptic to ovate leaflets[3] with a serrate margin.[5] The gray to dark brown bark is ridged and irregularly furrowed.[5] The soft wood is coarse-grained.[7]
Generative characteristics
The flat, 4–33 cm wide inflorescence without a dominant central axis[3] bears white to cream,[5] entomophilous flowers.[7] The glaucous berries[3] are dark blue or black.[6]
Cytology
The chromosome count is 2n = 36.[3]
Taxonomy
It was described in 1830 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle based on previous work by Carl Borivoj Presl.[8][9]
Habitat Distribution
Sambucus mexicana is native to the United States (California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona)[10] and Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua).[1] Often situated in wetlands adjacent to rivers, scrublands, and woodlands. Due to the adaptability of the plant, it is both dry and moist tolerant and often thrives with a consistent water source.[10]
Uses
Sambucus mexicana is used by several indigenous tribes in California, like Acjachemen Indians of San Juan Capistrano, California, and is an important plant for them.[11] For the Acjachemen people, it is known as the “tree of music,” for the construction of wood to develop into clapper sticks, a percussive instrument.[11]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:227173-2
- 1 2 3 San Francisco Landmark Tree: Sambucus mexicana. (2018, September 6). Arborist Now. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://arboristnow.com/news/San-Francisco-Landmark-Tree-Sambucus-Mexicana/
- 1 2 3 4 5 Charles D. Bell 2022, Sambucus mexicana, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, Revision 10, https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=43127, accessed on June 27, 2026.
- ↑ Theodore Payne Foundation. (n.d.). Sambucus mexicana. Native Plant Database. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://theodorepayne.org/nativeplantdatabase/index.php?title=Sambucus_mexicana
- 1 2 3 4 Tapio Sambucus mexicana Blue Elderberry. (n.d.). Santa Clara University. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.scu.edu/community-heritage-lab/ohlone-heritage-hub/ohlone-native-plant-garden/blue-elderberry/
- 1 2 "Sambucus mexicana, Tapiro". www.laspilitas.com. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- 1 2 Fern, K. (n.d.). Sambucus mexicana. Useful Temperate Plants. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Sambucus+mexicana
- ↑ Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC. (n.d.-b). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved June 27, 2026, from https://www.ipni.org/n/227173-2
- ↑ de Candolle, A. P., (1830). Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis, sive, Enumeratio contracta ordinum generum specierumque plantarum huc usque cognitarium, juxta methodi naturalis, normas digesta (Vol. 4, p. 322). Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Würtz. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/152468
- 1 2 "Calflora". www.calflora.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- 1 2 "Volume 58 Issue 1 | Economic Botany". bioone.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
