Elder or Elderberry (Sambucus) is a genus of fast-growing shrubs or small trees in the family Caprifoliaceae. They bear bunches of small white or cream coloured flowers in the spring, that are followed by bunches of small red, bluish or black berries. The berries are a very valuable food resource for many birds.
Common North American species include American ElderSambucus canadensis in the east, and Blueberry ElderSambucus glauca in the west; both have blue-black berries.
The common European species is the Common or Black ElderSambucus nigra, with black berries.
The Red-berried ElderSambucus racemosa is found throughout the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere; European and Asian plants are treated as S. racemosa var. racemosa, and North American plants as S. racemosa var. pubens. As the name suggests, the berries are bright red.
Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Both flowers and berries can be made into wine, and in Hungary an elderberry brandy is produced (requiring 50 kg of fruit to produce 1 litre of brandy). The berries are best not eaten raw as they are mildly poisonous, causing vomiting (particularly if eaten unripe). The mild cyanidetoxicity is destroyed by cooking. The berries can also be made into jam or pies.
In Hungary and Romania, the flowers are made into a syrup or cordial (in Romanian: socată), which is diluted with water before drinking. The popularity of this traditional drink has recently encouraged some commercial soft drink producers to introduce elderflower-flavoured drinks.
For other uses of the word Elder, see the disambiguation page Elder.
Elder or Elderberry (Sambucus) is a genus of between 5-30 species of fast-growing shrubs or small trees (two species herbaceous), formerly treated in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae, but now shown by genetic evidence to be correctly classified in the moschatel family Adoxaceae.
The common elder complex is variously treated as a single speciesSambucus nigra found in the warmer parts of Europe and North America with several regional varieties or subspecies, or else as a group of several similar species.
The red-berried elder complex is variously treated as a single speciesSambucus racemosa found throughout the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere with several regional varieties or subspecies, or else as a group of several similar species.
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