Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly referred to as elder, elderflower or elderberry. Elderberry plants are deciduous shrubs or small trees. They have pinnate leaves, with several leaflets. They produce clusters of small, white, or cream-colored flowers with a sweet fragrance. These flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. The berries are small, red, dark purple to black when ripe, growing in clusters. They ripen in late summer to early fall.
The genus occurs in temperate to subtropical regions of the world. More widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of Australasia and South America. Many species are widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Elder commonly grows near farms and homesteads. It is a nitrogen-dependent plant and thus is generally found near places of organic waste disposal. Elders are often grown as a hedgerow plant in Britain since they take very fast, can be bent into shape easily, and grow quite profusely, thus having gained the reputation of being ‘an instant hedge’. It is not generally affected by soil type or pH level and will virtually grow anywhere sufficient sunlight is available.
Types of Elderberry
- Sambucus nigra – European Elderberry
- Sambucus canadensis – American Elderberry
- Sambucus racemosa – Red Elderberry
- Sambucus ebulus – Dwarf Elder
- Sambucus callicarpa – Pacific Red Elder
- Sambucus australasica – Yellow Elderberry
- Sambucus sieboldiana – Japanese Red Elderberry
- Sambucus mexicana – Mexican Elderberry
- Sambucus ebulus – Dwarf Elder
- Sambucus palmensis – Canary Islands Elderberry
- Sambucus gaudichaudiana – white elderberry
- Sambucus cerulea – Blue Elderberry
Description
Sambucus nigra – European Elderberry
- Origin: Native to Europe, but also found in North Africa and parts of Asia.
- Characteristics: This is perhaps the most well-known species. It has dark purple, almost black berries and white or cream-colored flowers that grow in large, flat clusters. The plant can grow as a shrub or small tree. It’s widely used in traditional medicine and culinary applications, like elderflower cordial or elderberry wine.
Sambucus canadensis – American Elderberry
- Origin: Native to a large area of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains.
- Characteristics: Similar to its European cousin but tends to be more shrub-like. It produces sweet, purple-black berries used in jams, pies, and wines. The flowers are also utilized for their fragrance and in beverages.
Sambucus racemosa – Red Elderberry
- Origin: Found in Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
- Characteristics: It produces bright red berries which are toxic when raw but can be cooked and used in jams or wines. The plant has a more conical or pyramid-shaped flower cluster compared to the flat umbels of S. nigra.
Sambucus ebulus – Dwarf Elder
- Origin: Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.
- Characteristics: Unlike other elderberries, it’s herbaceous rather than woody, dying back to the ground each winter. Its berries and other parts are considered toxic and not typically used for consumption.
Sambucus callicarpa – Pacific Red Elder
- Origin: Found along the Pacific coast of North America, particularly in California and Oregon.
- Characteristics: It has red berries similar to S. racemosa, and it prefers damp, woodland environments.
Sambucus australasica – Yellow Elderberry
- Origin: Native to Australia and New Guinea.
- Characteristics: Produces yellow to whitish berries. Less known in the global context but used locally where it grows.
Sambucus sieboldiana – Japanese Red Elderberry
- Origin: Native to Japan and Korea.
- Characteristics: Similar to other red elderberries, with red fruit. It’s used in local traditional medicine and occasionally in landscaping.
Sambucus mexicana – Mexican Elderberry
- Origin: Found in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States.
- Characteristics: This species can tolerate drier conditions compared to others. It has blue-black berries that are used similarly to those of S. canadensis.
Sambucus palmensis – Canary Islands Elderberry
- Origin: Endemic to the Canary Islands.
- Characteristics: A rare species with limited distribution. Not much is widely known about its culinary or medicinal use, likely due to its rarity.
Sambucus gaudichaudiana – White Elderberry
- Origin: Native to southeastern Australia.
- Characteristics: It produces white or cream-colored berries, which is quite unique among elderberries known for darker hues. Its uses are less documented, possibly due to its less common coloration.
Sambucus cerulea – Blue Elderberry
- Origin: Western North America, particularly common in California.
- Characteristics: This species has berries that are blue due to a powdery bloom, giving them a lighter appearance than their actual dark purple color. They’re used in much the same way as other edible elderberries.