Sambucus canadensis -L.-
black elderberry


Entry Type: Species

Species Name: Sambucus canadensis -L.-

Common Name: black elderberry

Myaamia Name: wiiphšalwi

Description:

Harvest Seasons: Undetermined

Harvest Comments:

Habitats: Undetermined

Uses: Food, Material, Technology

Locations: Undetermined

Sources

Gatschet, A.S. ca. 1895

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"papíkwezé, papikwäⁿze, elder-tree, probably Sambucus glauca. SW [Sarah Wadsworth] thinks the pit in it named the tree papikwanshi--wanshi is pith or marrow".

 

Comments: N/A


Olds, J., Olds, D. and D. Tippman 1999

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Berries are gathered and made into juice.

Comments: N/A


Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Berries made into jelly, flower buds and heads can be deep fried and eaten.

Comments: N/A


Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Technology

Archival Data:

The stem is hollowed out and used as a tap for maple sugaring.

Comments: N/A


Tippman, D. 1999

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Berries are gathered for making into preserves, sometimes mixed with something else to make more tart.

Comments: N/A


Tippman, D. 1999

Reference Type: Use - Material

Archival Data:

Stems are hollowed out using a willow branch, then a whittled down hickory stick placed inside along with a paper wad to make a pop-gun.

Comments: N/A


Gonella, M.P 2003-2006

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Wild elderberries were picked and eaten when George's was a child. His, mother, Thelma Louise Baker of the Eagle Band, made elderberry wine and jelly.

Comments: N/A


Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

wĭkŭlŭmpsa or wĭ‑cŭl‑lumps "elder bush"

Comments: N/A


Bush, L. L 1996

Reference Type: Use - Food

Archival Data:

Human charred remains of Sambucus sp. recovered from excavation site at early Myaamia Village at the forks of the Wabash River (Ft. Wayne), 1795-1812 (Ehler Site).

Comments: N/A

Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A. 1991

Reference Type: Habitat

Archival Data :

Sambucus canadensis occurs in moist or rich woods, fields, and roadsides in eastern and western Myaamia lands, and is the most common of native elderberries.  S. racemosa occurs in rich woods in only eastern Myaamia lands (and western U.S.), but could also potentially be included in this record.

Comments: N/A


Dunn, J.P. ca. 1900

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data :

Dunn said that kĭkalósa was the Oklahoma Miami term for ‘elder bush’

Comments: N/A

Coulter, S. 1932

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

Flowers of Sambucus canadensis or S. nigra contain volatile oils, resins and other compounds that when given in small doses 4 gm act as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and stimulant, and are used to treat erysipelas, and fevers.

Comments: N/A


Largillier, J. 1644-1714

Reference Type: Related Info

Archival Data:

"8ippichar8i, "of the elderberry"

Comments: N/A

Legends

  • L.: L. stands for Carl Linneaus, a Swedish botanist and zoologist living from 1707 - 1778, who formed the binomial nomenclature system for scientific naming of species (the two part name). His initial after a scientific name indicates he was the authority for that species name.
  • sp.: Indicates the actual species name cannot or need not be specified. Example: Lilium sp. indicates a single species in the genus Lilium that is not known or does not need to be specified.
  • spp.: (plural) indicates "several species", two or more species of the given genus. Example: Lilium spp. indicates 2 or more species in the genus that cannot or do not need to be distinguished.
  • Use - Unknown: A record for this plant exists but does not include explicit information about the plant's cultural use. It is probable the Myaamia used the plant.
  • Botanical Sources: Sources of any botanical data for this plant species that is not related to its cultural use or significance.
  • Related Sources: Data indirectly related to Myaamia ethnobotany, including non-Myaamia uses of the plant in contemporary and historic times.
  • Myaamia Archival Sources: All records of plant use obtained directly from a Myaamia tribal member in an interview, recorded by a second party or by self-recording.
  • Undetermined (Plant Use): There exists use or other information about a certain, unknown plant species, but the specific species has not yet been determined.
  • Medicinal: For the purposes of this database, medicinal uses of plants and medicinal knowledge are defined as: Commonly held communal knowledge regarding the use of plant-based substances that aid in maintaining a healthy mind, body or spirit, including tonics and teas.
  • Technology: For the purposes of this database, technological uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in the making of food processing, canoes, rafts, dyes, tools, utensils, weapons, hunting and fishing gear (i.e. net, weir, etc.), cordage, string, rope, fodder plant species, firewood, any plants used in trade, etc.
  • Material: For the purposes of this database, material uses of plants are defined as: Plants used in construction of dwellings (floor mats, roofing, side walls), furniture, baskets, storage items, musical instruments, games, crafts, jewelry, cordage used in crafts, etc.
  • Food: For the purposes of this database, food uses of plants are defined as: Plants used as consumed food, spices and seasonings, but not teas or tonics.
  • Customs: For the purposes of this database, customary uses of plants are defined as: Plants involved in a customary ceremony, ritual or traditional event, including ritual smoking, chewing tobacco, war rituals, special mats used to sit on during ceremonies. Customary uses of plants, in this database, does not including plants used for recreation (material), structures where ceremonies take place (material) or medicinal smoking (medicinal).
  • Eastern Myaamia Lands: Eastern Myaamia lands (eastern myaamionki) are centered around northern Indiana, and including western Ohio, eastern Illinois, southern Michigan, and the northernmost portions of Kentucky.
  • Western Myaamia Lands: Western Myaamia lands (western myaamionki) include western Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma.