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Black Elderberry Flower Wikimedia Commons
Adoxaceae

Black Elderberry Flower

Sambucus nigra

Regeneration and folklore.

Family
Adoxaceae
Genus
Sambucus
Native to
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
deciduous shrub
Height
10-20 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Elderflower cordial has been a traditional summer beverage in Britain for centuries.
  • In European folklore, the elder tree was believed to be inhabited by a protective spirit called the Elder Mother.
  • Every part of the elderberry plant has been used medicinally, but the bark and raw berries are mildly toxic.
  • Elderflower is a key ingredient in the classic French liqueur St-Germain.
  • The flat-topped flower clusters can measure up to 10 inches across and have a sweet, musky fragrance.

Color meanings

0

compassion

1

kindness

2

zeal

Uses

  • elderflower cordial
  • wine making
  • traditional medicine
  • culinary ingredient