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Sambucus nigra spp canadensis

Shrub

HomeShrubSambucus nigra spp canadensis

Rich moist soils along streams and rivers, woodland margins and waste ground.

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Height: 4 m / 14 ft
Sun, Semi-shade
Light, Medium and Heavy Soil
Moist

Plant Rating

Edible Uses: 4 of 5
Medicinal Uses: 3 of 5
Other Uses: 3 of 5

Native Habitat

American Elder Sambucus nigra spp canadensis native habitat is Rich moist soils along streams and rivers, woodland margins and waste ground.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A bittersweet flavour, the fruits are about 5mm in diameter and are borne in large clusters. They are at their best after being dried, the fresh raw fruit has a rather rank taste. The fruit is normally cooked and used in pies, jams, jellies, sauces, bread etc. Rich in vitamin C. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked. They are often covered in batter and made into fritters. The flowers can be picked when unopened, pickled and then used as a flavouring in candies etc. They can also be soaked in water to make a drink. A pleasant tasting tea is made from the dried flowers. Young shoots are said to be edible when cooked and to be used as an asparagus substitute though, since the leaves are also said to be poisonous, this report should be viewed with some doubt.

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