Elder Berry Fruit PLant (Sambucus nigra)

Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Common Names: Elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, European elderberry, European black elderberry, tramman.

Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra

General Information:

Family: Adoxaceae

Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

Size: Typically grows to 6 meters tall and wide, rarely reaching 10 meters.

Fruit: Glossy, dark purple to black berries, 3–5 mm in diameter, produced in drooping clusters in late autumn.

Uses:

Harvest: Gathered from the wild for local use.

Cooking: Berries can be cooked and made into syrup.

Preparation: Used in the making of jams, wine, non-alcoholic drinks.

Medicinal Uses:

Dried berries or juice used to treat influenza, infections, sciatica, headaches, dental pain, heart pain, and nerve pain.

Used as a laxative and diuretic in folk medicine.

Cultivation Information:

Bloom Time/Fruiting: 2 to 3 Years

Maintenance Required: Moderate