About this tree
Sambucus nigra, commonly called the European elder, elderberry, or black elderberry, is a species complex of flowering plants native throughout most of Europe. These deciduous shrubs or small trees grow to heights of about 6 m, with opposite pinnate leaves and flat clusters of ivory-white flowers in late spring to mid-summer. The dark purple to nearly black berries ripen in autumn and owe their colour to anthocyanins. S. nigra grows in a wide range of conditions, often in hedgerows, roadsides, woodland edges, and disturbed sites, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental shrub or small tree. The flowers and cooked berries have a long tradition of culinary use in infusions and cordials (like elderflower cordial) and jams, jellies, wine, and traditional regional dishes in Scandinavia and central Europe. The plant also appears in traditional medicine and folklore across Europe, where it has been valued since ancient times and associated with myths and protective beliefs. While elderberry products are widely used in folk remedies, scientific evidence of specific health benefits beyond high vitamin C content is lacking. Ecologically, its flowers support pollinators and the dried sprays of berries provide sustenance to birds and small mammals throughout the winter months, supporting biodiversity.