Sambucus velutina
 | This article includes alist of references,related reading,orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations.(May 2011) |
| Velvet elder | |
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| Sambucus velutina | |
Scientific classification
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Dipsacales |
| Family: | Adoxaceae |
| Genus: | Sambucus |
| Species: | S. velutina
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| Binomial name | |
| Sambucus velutina Durand & Hilg.
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Sambucus velutina,thevelvet elder,is a relatively large,deciduousshrub that is endemic to the Southwestern region of the United States. This particular species is characteristic of Central California and Western Nevada.
Morphological characteristics
[edit]The velvet elder has medium-hued, green,pinnateleaves, that are notably hairy to the touch. Generally, there are about 5-9 individual leaflets present, each measuring anywhere from 5-30 centimeters (cm) in length. The plants are capable of growing up to anywhere from 3–8 meters (m) in height, with a typical, relatively thick, stem diameter of approximately 30-60 centimeter (cm). These plants have berries that are black and deep blue in color. These characteristics can be observed amongst many of the similar species that will be briefly discussed below.
Similar species
[edit]There are numerous, closely related species that are typically found throughout many regions of North America.Sambucus velutinais exclusively found in the Southwestern portion of the United States, yet multiple other genetically similar species can also be found living in other areas of the country. A few examples of such species includeSambucus canadensis(American elder),Sambucus cerulea(blue elderberry), andSambucus simpsonii(Florida elder).