View photos of the edible and medicinal plant, Sambucus canadensis [Sambucus mexicana] (Elder), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest and the Wild Edible Series: California: Vol 1, Sonoran, and Texas: Vol 1.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest:

Children will certainly benefit from Elder, and other diaphoretics such as Spearmint and Ginger. Fevers dependent upon wintertime viral infections: common cold, sinusitis, bronchitis, and even the flu, will be dealt with efficaciously. If the fever resolves the infection has as well. Depending on secondary symptoms Elder will combine well with Echinacea, Wild indigo, or other immune stimulants.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of California (Vol 1):

When ripe, Elder berries are blue–black and semi–sweet. Eat them fresh (limited) or dry for future use. The dried berries can be stored or rehydrated/used as needed. In fact, the drying process concentrates the berries’ natural sugars, making them sweeter than fresh.

A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Texas (Vol 1):

Elder occurs disjointedly throughout central and eastern parts of the state. It prefers moist soils – stream and
creek sides, forest margins, and other bottomlands.