A blue elderberry (Sambucus caerulea) is a large, fast-growing native North American shrub or small tree known for its clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring and powdery blue berries in fall, which are edible when cooked and used for jams, syrups, and wine, while also providing crucial food and shelter for wildlife. It's a hardy, multi-season plant valued for landscaping, erosion control, and its nutritious fruit and flowers.