Identifying Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Take great care when identifying wild plants and fungi, this blog is not a resource to be taken by itself and further resources will be linked. Consult other sources and double check. While foraging is an extremely rewarding and useful skill, numerous common plants and fungi can make you sick or kill you. Be absolutely sure of what you’re eating and, when gathering, ensure you leave enough not only to ensure the survival and growth of the species but also enough for others to enjoy, from the human and more-than-human communities. Also cultivate an awareness of contamination and pollution – wastewater runoff, spraying, exhaust fumes – as this should affect your decision to harvest.

The Plant

Sambucus nigra is a beautiful flowering and berry producing tree belonging to the Adoxaceae family. It is native to most of Europe but can be found all over New Zealand, often along roadsides and in hedges in the countryside. Elders thrive in sunny locations and in damp soil conditions. The word “elder” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “aeld” meaning “to kindle” or “fire”, so named because the hollowed out stems of the tree would be used to blow on kindling from a safe distance. Elder-“flower” or elder-“berry” just refers to the lovely flowers and berries the tree produces. The word “sambucus” is derived from the Greek word for an old flute-like instrument called a “sambuce“. “Nigra” is Latin for black and refers to the dark colour of the berries.

Description

Elder is a small decidious tree and will grow up to around 6 metres tall and wide. The leaves are a vibrant green and are arranged in opposite pairs, with about 5-7 leaves on one small branch. The leaves come to a single point at the end and are gently serrated along the margin. The bark of the trunk and older branches is coarse, grey, and furrowed, and the young stems are hollow. The tiny hermaphroditic flowers are a white cream colour and grow in large flat corymb’s (clusters of flowers where the outermost flowers grow on longer stems so they all appear at an even flat surface). Each flower has five petals and five stamens. Once pollinated the plant will produce round deep dark purple berries in drooping clusters.

Ecology

Sambucus nigra can be found blooming from November through to January and the berries can generally be harvested in autumn. The flowers are pollinated by flies and the seeds from the berries are dispersed by birds. Elder trees are fairly prevalent in the New Zealand countryside and can often be found among hedges and along roadsides. It grows well in full sun but doesn’t appear to mind being in dry or very wet soil.

Nutritional/Medicinal Information

Elderberries contain antioxidants (lots of vitamin C), anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral compounds, making elder syrup, tinctures, or supplements popular for treating colds, sinus infections, fevers, and coughs. Elderberry has also been used in folk medicine to induce perspiration (diaphoretic) and as a diuretic (increase urine production).

Elder berries must not be consumed raw. The stems, leaves, and seeds of Sambucus nigra contain a toxic cyanogenic glycoside called sambunigrin. When using the flowers or berries for culinary or medicinal uses try to remove as much stem as possible and cook the berries before consuming.

Possible Lookalikes

Pokeweeds from the Phytolacta family have dark purple berries but grow in a row down one single pinkish stem. These plants are poisonous to mammals so please be careful.

The Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) looks similar to elder but has smaller clusters of flowers/berries. It has intense spikes on the stems which sets it apart from elder. The berries are also poisonous when uncooked but appear to be fine when consumed cooked, be sure to ID elder correctly if consuming internally.

Interesting Facts

Elder trees have soft pith which allows them to be easily hollowed out, making it popular for wind instruments.

Elders are susceptible to wood ear jelly fungus innoculation.

Elders strong root system can help prevent soil erosion.

Ancient Europeans believed elder to be a protective tree and was planted around people’s land and homes to ward off evil spirits, whilst elder has negative connotations for Christians as it is believed that Judas Iscariot hung himself from an elder tree and is one of several trees accused of providing wood for the cross Jesus was crucified on. This seems unlikely as the wood of the elder tree is soft, hollow, and probably wouldn’t stand up to the weight. It seems more likely that, as elder was an important tree in most pagan religions, Christians decided to demonise this beautiful symbolic plant.

Storage & Cooking

Harvest elderflowers early in the morning when the dew is still out. Use elderflowers fresh as teas, cordials, cocktails, cakes, biscuits, and syrups. Ensure you remove the stems completely before consuming as they are toxic.

Elderberries can be frozen or stored in the fridge for a few days. The berries bust be cooked to remove toxicity. Cook into jams, syrups, pies, chutneys, cakes, and crumbles.

Enjoy my fellow foragers!

Further Reading

PennState Extention

iNaturalist

National Library of Medicine

Trees For Life

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network