Sambucus nigra , ordinarily sleep together as the European Elderberry or Black Elder , is one of the most well - known metal money within the Sambucus genus . Sambucus nigra is native to Europe , northern Africa , and western Asia . Its innate mountain chain extends from Scandinavia in the north , through Central and Southern Europe , to share of the Mediterranean region , and eastward into parts of Asia Minor and the Caucasus .
Over meter , Sambucus nigra has been brought into culture not just in its native area but also in North America and other part of the populace where it ’s valued for its medicinal , culinary , and ornamental uses . Its stalwart in USDA zone 4 - 8 . grounds suggests that elderberries have been used by humanity for thousand of year . Archaeological discovery and ancient texts suggest that various parts of the older works were utilized by Neolithic the great unwashed for both medicative and culinary purposes .
Sambucus nigra can grow as a large bush or small tree , reaching heights of 6 meters ( 20 fundament ) or more . It often forms a rounded , spread shape with multiple stems . The barque is grayish - brown , often with inscrutable line and a somewhat corked grain . It can be shredded or have a crude appearance . In some neighborhood , Sambucus nigra can be quite incursive , spreading through seeds and suckers .
leave are opposite , compound , with 5 - 7 folder . Each leaflet is lancelike to ovate , with serrated margins . They measure about 5 - 12 curium long . leafage color is immature , but some cultivars demo purplish or variegated foliage . The leaves are deciduous , turn lily-livered in the fall before dropping . leaf contain toxic compounds like cyanogenic glycosides ( e.g. , sambunigrin ) , which unloosen cyanide upon hydrolysis .
The flowers can be used to make elderflower sirup , amiable , wine , or even fry in batter as elderflower fritter . The Berry are used to make jams , jellies , Proto-Indo European , wine-colored , and elderberry sirup . Traditionally , Sambucus nigra has been used for its medicinal properties . The Chuck Berry and flowers are rich in vitamins , peculiarly vitamin C , and antioxidant . It is often used in remedies for cold , flu , and respiratory contagion . It ’s believed to boost the resistant system . It ’s important to cook the berries before ingest to neutralize toxic chemical compound like sambunigrin , which can induce sickness , vomiting , or diarrhea when eaten raw .
Varieties and Cultivars
Ornamental Cultivars
Culinary Varieties
Cultivation
give care
multiplication
Harvesting
