Elderberry vs Pokeweed
You can figure out the difference between Elderberry vs Pokeweed by looking at a few of the visible characteristics of each which I’ll detail here.
A student of mine recently brought in a branch with purple berries. I am familiar with Pokeweed but not elderberry in the wild. It is so important to double and triple check plant ID’s when in the woods. If you are not sure, please don’t eat them and be careful with children too.
What do Elderberries look like?
Elderberry
Elderberry: Sambucus nigra I have included pictures of an elderberry look alike, Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana. Though the flowers are different, the purple berry and red stems can be easily confused with elderberry. The berries of pokeweed are NOT edible and can cause a very bad stomach ache and should not be eaten be children. The young shoots in early spring, 6” tall or less can be eaten as a pot herb. Foraged greens like pokeweed need to be boiled two or three times to make the green palatable. Pokeweed is typically shorter than elderberry, easily bent and can be invasive. I always recommend folks to check 3-5 field guides when identifying a plant and to check with someone who can verify the plant before consuming.
What is Pokeweed?
Pokeweed
Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana, is easily found in our forests and wooded areas is the most common of the plants that look like elderberry. It too likes to hang out at the forest edges. The berries have shorter stems, are closely attached to the main stem and again are not edible. They are used however to make a natural dye. Naturopathic physicians use the root of pokeweed in their practices. Because it is potent you will not find poke root easily in most health food stores.
The flowers of both elderberry and pokeweed are white in the early spring but are very different. Here is a photo of the elderberry flower to your left and pokeweed on your right.
 Elderberry flower |
 Pokeweed Flower |
Two plants that look alike can easy be mixed up. Spring is a good time to test your knowledge of identifying these two flowering shrubs, small trees.
In the meantime, consider elderberry for your home medicine chest. Amazon has a wide assortment of options for both adults and kids.
Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN, Writer, Speaker, and Workshop Presenter, Master Gardener.
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Here in Lakewood CA. I found an unknown plant in my backyard plant almost looking like elderberry but with the help o your site figured it to be pokewood. I thought it might have got started by the birds eating the wild birdseed I used at the time so I left it alone for the birds to eat. Thank you for the info, Mark.
Thanks, Mark for your comment and feedback. Glad the pics helped you out. It’s always good to get 3-5 sources for plant ID. It can be tricky and with edibles, you want to err on the safe side. Enjoy.
I found these on our land and was hoping they were elderberries but after reading this article I’m not sure. I am enclosing a photo. Any help would be awesome. Thank you terra
Never mind i seen enough photos now to know these are pokeweed. Thank you your pictures helped. Terra
Glad you could get confirmation. I always recommend 3-5 field guides when learning about wild edibles. Leaves can be deceiving at first glance. Be safe.
I recently moved in to a new neighborhood and new house and i just realized that there was a plant that looked like there were blue berries and so i did research and i found this and it was very helpful!
thanks for the feedback. It’s important to check a few sources to make sure you ID a plant correctly. Glad the article was helpful. Enjoy your day. Judith
My tree ??elderberry has all the chacteristics of elder tree but the leaves tend to yellowish green
My tree ??elderberry has all the chacteristics of elder tree but the leaves tend to yellowish green
Leaves are opposite etc but why yellowish Green colour
There are a couple of reasons why this could happen. Difficult to tell without seeing a specimen. I suggest you find a master gardener office nearby and folks can help you with this.
Iron deficiency and verticillium wilt are two possible causes.
Thank you for your interest.
When the first time I saw the beautiful load of elderberry fruits on this plant at the edge of my old house I was shocked, assuming it must be poisonous. But now reading about its benefits everywhere. I’m happy to own one. You’re right it’s not easy to tell the difference until you compare the whole plant with fruit many times. I still have to process it to make a drink etc. I’m wondering if I can make its syrup.
Thank you, Al, for your comments. Elderberry syrup is one of my favorite winter – keep in the medicine chest – remedies. I’m glad you found the article useful. Just google elderberry syrup. You will get many ideas to make the syrup. It’s pretty easy. Enjoy.
Thank you, Al, for your comments. Elderberry syrup is one of my favorite winter – keep in the medicine chest – remedies. I’m glad you found the article useful. Just google elderberry syrup. You will get many ideas to make the syrup. It’s pretty easy. Enjoy.