Sambucus melanocarpa

A. Gray

Black berried elder, Black elder, Blackbead elderberry

Adoxaceae Edible: Flowers, Fruit Potential hazards — see below 578 iNaturalist observations

Has toxic lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

Deciduous shrub reaching 4 m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers June to July with seeds ripening August to September. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils across mildly acid to basic pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil, tolerates strong winds and air pollution but not salt spray.

Description

A shrub. The flowers are fruit are in loose round clusters. They are about 7 cm across. The berries are shiny black.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The fruit is about 6mm in diameter, borne in large clusters, and can be eaten raw or cooked. It is low in pectin and is best combined with crab-apples or other pectin-rich fruits when making jams or jellies. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity. The flowers can also be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used in sauces, pies, muffins, wines or made into juice. The juice can be used as a drink or made into syrup and jelly.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Dried ripe berries have been eaten as a treatment for diarrhoea. A decoction of the roots has been used for diarrhoea and dysentery. A poultice of boiled, mashed roots has been applied to caked breasts, cuts, and wounds. A decoction of the flowers has been used to treat tuberculosis, coughs, and colds, and has also been given to children as a spring tonic. A poultice of crushed leaves has been used to treat bruises and bleeding wounds.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some, if not all, members of this genus are poisonous. The fruit of many species (although no records have been seen for this species) has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked.

Distribution

It grows in the Rocky mountains above 1000 m altitude.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

Tolerates most soils, including chalk, but prefers a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in autumn in a cold frame, where it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed sown in spring will germinate more reliably after 2 months of warm followed by 2 months of cold stratification. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough; if growth is strong, plant out in early summer, otherwise hold in a sheltered nursery bed or pots and plant out the following spring. Half-ripe cuttings of 7–10cm with a heel can be taken in July or August in a frame. Hardwood cuttings of 15–20cm with a heel from the current season's growth can be taken in late autumn in a frame or sheltered outdoor bed.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are about 25 Sambucus species. Also put in the family Sambucaceae.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

VERY TOXIC

Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Jakec

Safe

Black berried elder

Sambucus melanocarpa

Pokeweed: Thick red/purple herbaceous stems (no bark), berries in a line (raceme), simple large leaves, large white taproot.

Black berried elder: Woody bark, berries in broad flat clusters (cymes), compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets.

Synonyms

Sambucus racemosa var. melanocarpa

References (6)

Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Elias, T.S. & Dykeman P.A., 1990, Edible Wild Plants. A North American Field guide. Sterling, New York p 190
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 223
Farrar, J.L., 1995, Trees of the Northern United States and Canada. Iowa State University press/Ames p 172
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references