Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae.

The various species are commonly

called elder or elderberry. The genus was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but
was reclassified as Adoxaceae due to genetic and morphological comparisons to plants in the genus
Adoxa.

Flowers of European black elder

Sambucus canadensis showing the inflorescence

Elderberry cultivation in Austria

Contents

1 Description

2 Distribution and habitat

3 Taxonomy

4 Cultivation

5 Uses

5.1 Nutrition

5.2 Food

5.2.1 Potential toxicity

5.3 Traditional medicine

6 Ecology

6.1 Habitat

7 Folklore and fiction

8 References

9 Further reading

10 External links
Description

The oppositely arranged leaves are pinnate with 5–9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11). Each leaf is 5–30 cm (2.0–
11.8 in) long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-
colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries
(rarely yellow or white).

Distribution and habitat

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.[2]

Taxonomy

Species recognized in this genus are:[3][4]

Sambucus canadensis showing the complex branching of the inflorescence

Sambucus adnata – Himalaya and eastern Asia

Sambucus australasica – New Guinea, eastern Australia

Sambucus australis – South America

Sambucus callicarpa – west coast of North America

Sambucus canadensis – eastern North America

Sambucus cerulea – western North America

Sambucus ebulus – central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia

Sambucus gaudichaudiana – south eastern Australia

Sambucus javanica – southeastern Asia

Sambucus lanceolata – Madeira Island

Sambucus latipinna – Korea, southeast Siberia

Sambucus melanocarpa – western North America

Sambucus microbotrys – southwest North America

Sambucus nigra – Europe and North America

Sambucus orbiculata – western North America

Sambucus palmensis – Canary Islands

Sambucus peruviana – Costa Rica, Panama and northwest South America

Sambucus pubens – northern North America

Sambucus racemosa – northern Europe, northwest Asia, central North America

Sambucus sibirica – eastern Asia

Sambucus sieboldiana – Japan and Korea

Sambucus simpsonii – southeastern United States

Sambucus tigranii – southwest Asia

Sambucus velutina – southwestern North America

Sambucus wightiana – western Himalayas

Sambucus williamsii – northeast Asia

Cultivation

Ornamental varieties of Sambucus are grown in gardens for their showy flowers, fruits and lacy foliage.
Native species of elderberry are often planted by people wishing to support native butterfly and bird
species.

Uses

Elderberries, raw

Sambucus spp.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)

Energy 305 kJ (73 kcal)

Carbohydrates
18.4 g

Dietary fiber 7g

Fat

0.5 g

Protein

0.66 g

Vitamins Quantity %DV†

Vitamin A equiv. 4% 30 μg

Thiamine (B1) 6% 0.07 mg

Riboflavin (B2) 5% 0.06 mg

Niacin (B3) 3% 0.5 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5) 3% 0.14 mg

Vitamin B6 18% 0.23 mg

Folate (B9) 2% 6 μg

Vitamin C 43% 36 mg

Minerals Quantity %DV†

Calcium4% 38 mg

Iron 12% 1.6 mg

Magnesium 1% 5 mg

Phosphorus 6% 39 mg

Potassium 6% 280 mg

Zinc 1% 0.11 mg

Other constituents Quantity

Water 79.80 g

Link to USDA Database entry

Units

μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams

IU = International units

†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.

Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Dried elderberries ready for steeping

Structure of anthocyanins, the blue pigments in elderberries.[5]

Elderberry fruit or flowers are used as dietary supplements for minor diseases such as flu, colds,
constipation, and other conditions, often served as a tea, extract, or in a capsule.[6] There is insufficient
research to know its effectiveness for such uses, or its safety profile - however, no illnesses caused by
elderflower have been reported.[6]

Nutrition

Raw elderberries are 80% water, 18% carbohydrates, and less than 1% each of protein and fat (table). In
a 100 gram amount, elderberries supply 73 calories and are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 43% of
the Daily Value (DV). Elderberries also have moderate contents of vitamin B6 (18% DV) and iron (12%
DV), with no other nutrients in significant content (table).

Food

The French, Austrians and Central Europeans produce elderflower syrup, commonly made from an
extract of elderflower blossoms, which in central Europe is added to Palatschinken filling instead of
blueberries. People throughout much of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe use a similar method
to make a syrup which is diluted with water and used as a drink or as a flavoring in several food products.
Fruit pies and relishes are produced with berries. Romanians produce a traditional soft drink in May and
June called "socată" or "suc de soc". It is produced by letting the flowers macerate with water, yeast and
lemon for 2–3 days. The last stage of fermentation is done in a closed pressure proof bottle to produce a
fizzy drink. The beverage has also inspired Coca-Cola to launch an elderflower-based drink, Fanta
Shokata.[7]
The flowers of Sambucus nigra are used to produce elderflower cordial. St-Germain, an American liqueur
with faux-French branding, is made from elderflowers. Hallands Fläder, a Swedish akvavit, is flavoured
with elderflowers. Despite the similarity in name, the Italian liqueur sambuca is mostly made with star
anise and fennel essential oils extracted by vapor distillation. It also contains elderflower extracts with
which it is flavored to add a floral note, to smooth and round off the strong licorice flavor.[citation
needed]

Hollowed elderberry twigs have traditionally been used as spiles to tap maple trees for syrup.[8]

Potential toxicity

Although the ripe, cooked berries (pulp and skin) of most species of Sambucus are edible,[6][9][10]
uncooked berries and other parts of plants from this genus are poisonous.[11] Leaves, twigs, branches,
seeds, roots, flowers, and berries of Sambucus plants produce cyanidin glycosides and alkaloids, which
have toxic properties,.[6][10] Ingesting a sufficient quantity of cyanidin glycosides and alkaloids from
berry juice, flower tea, or beverages made from fresh leaves, branches, and fruit has been shown to
cause illness, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and weakness.[6][10][11][12] In
1983, a group of twenty-five people in California became suddenly ill by ingesting elderberry juice
pressed from fresh, uncooked Sambucus mexicana berries, leaves, and stems.[12] The density of
flavonoids (including cyanidin glycosides) is higher in tea made from flowers than it is in berries,[13] and
overall density of cyanidin glycosides is lower in flowers and berries collected from low-altitude trees
compared to those at higher elevations.[11]