Identification: Leafy Low-Growing Bush with Jagged Leaves in Distinct Pair Arrangement, with Single Leaf at End

Hello Everyone,

Do you know what this plant is? It grows low on the ground, but is very leafy. The leaves are jagged, and are arranged in pairs along a stem, with a single leaf at the end of the stem.

Location : Mount Seymour
Elevation : 1100 m
Season : Late July

Jason

 

I would say this is Red Elderberry - Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens - but when you say it grows low to the ground, I'm not so sure since this shrub can grow to 6 meters tall.

 

It just means specimens noticed were young and small. One I measured on Whidbey Island had a single trunk 4' around at breast height, became the US National Champion for a time but then died.

 

It is incredible to me that a Sambucus could grow so large - a tidbit of information I'll remember.