# Elderberry (*Sambucus nigra*)

Elderberry is a bush with clusters of tiny white flowers and dark berries. It's known for making yummy jams!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Woodlands and riverbanks
- **Also known as:** American Elder, Black Elder, Elder, European Elder, European black elderberry

![Elderberry](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426611/objects/5042.jpg)

## Appearance

The Elderberry has large, flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers that mature into abundant bunches of small, dark purple-black berries. Its leaves are typically green and compound, giving the shrub a dense, leafy appearance distinct from single-leafed shrubs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Dipsacales
- **Family:** Adoxaceae
- **Genus:** Sambucus

## Interesting facts

- Elderberries have been used to create beautiful purple and blue dyes for fabrics.
- Hollow elderberry stems were traditionally used to make flutes and whistles!
- Some ancient cultures believed elder trees could ward off evil spirits.
- The tiny flowers are so fragrant, they can be used to make delicious cordials.

## Special abilities

- **Bountiful Berries:** Elderberry produces many sweet berries that attract birds, helping it spread its seeds far and wide.
- **Swift Sprouter:** Elderberry can grow quickly, allowing it to rapidly colonize open spaces and capture sunlight.
- **Nature's Medicine Cabinet:** This plant has compounds that can deter pests and are used in traditional remedies.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 200-600 cm
- **Spread:** 200-600 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feasts on ripe, dark purple elderberries.
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from the abundant flowers.
- **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on the leaves and tender new shoots.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Elderberry?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Elderberry?

200-600 cm

### How wide does Elderberry spread?

200-600 cm

### How big are the flowers on Elderberry?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Elderberry bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Elderberry edible?

Yes

### Is Elderberry toxic?

Mild

### What is Elderberry's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Knowsley Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knowsley-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo
- [Garnchayne Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garnchayne-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Elderberry: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elderberry)