Elderberry
Edibility - Good
Health Benefits - Superior
Sambucus nigra
Photo taken by Calvin De Jong
Description
Height 1-3 m
Width 1-3 m
Leaves 5-30 cm long
Flowers 15-30 cm
Fruit 3-5 mm
Seeds 1 mm
Elderberry is a deciduous shrub growing as wide as they are tall, its branches are yellowish-green with a white spongy pith inside the twigs. The leaves are dark green and are pinnate typically growing 5-9 leaflets sometimes 3-11, Elderberries are rich in anthocyanidins which give elderberry fruit their blue, purple color. The characteristic cream-colored flowers are often seen in late spring and early summer.
Distribution and habitat
Elderberry can be found growing throughout North America in must temperate areas.
Elderberry likes to grow in moist, well-drained soils in sunny locations along, slopes, canyons, cliff bases, streambanks.
Elevation 3-3000 m
Soil moist, clay soils
pH 5.5-6.5
Zones 3-9
Sun Full sun, partial shade
Uses & Benefits
Elderberry is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Elderberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals giving them superior health benefits over the most common fruit used today.
Parts Used:
-
Fruit
-
Flowers
-
Leaves
One can use Elderberry to:
-
Treat cold & Flu
-
Heart Health
-
Fights harmful bacteria
-
Support the immune system
-
Protect against UV radiation
-
Increase urination
-
Antidepressant
-
Fight cancer
Ways to use Elderberry:
-
Syrup
-
Jam
-
Jelly
-
Pie
-
Tea
Warning & Hazards:
The stems, bark, leaves, and roots contain poisonous cyanide.
Calvin De Jong
Content Writer/Photographer
I am a naturalist from the Okanagan. My passions are taken photos of nature and foraging all its wonders.