Sambucus racemosa

Sambucus racemosa is a species of elder known by the common names red-berried elder and red elderberry. It produces a red drupe. The species is native across much of the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is largely poisonous when raw, but the fruit can be cooked for consumption.

Description

A shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 2.5-3 m high and spreads 2.5-3 m wide. The stem is erect and branching. The bark is dark brown. The leaves are compound divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-7 leaflets. The leaves are yellowish-green. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are cream. They occur in dense flat topped clusters at the ends of the branches. The fruit are scarlet berries. They hang in clusters.

Edible Uses

The flowers are edible raw or cooked. The fruit, about 5mm in diameter and borne in large clusters, is edible raw or cooked but has a bitter flavour. It is quite nutritious, with a relatively high fat, protein, and carbohydrate content. Drying the fruit before use reduces some of its rank taste, and the large clusters make harvesting straightforward. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity. The root can be made into a tea-like beverage.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten after cooking. They are cooked with sugar. They are used for juice, jellies and jams. The fruit are cooked and dried and stored. The flowers are used for flavouring. Caution: Immature fruit can contain cyanide so should be ripe and cooked.

Medicinal Uses

The bark and leaves are used as a diuretic and purgative. The blossoms have been used in the treatment of measles.

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. NC State University have noted Cyanogenic glycoside and alkaloids can cause low toxity if eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It does best in moist, well-drained soils. It needs a protected shady position. It is frost hardy. It is sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Alaska, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Europe*, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, 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. Closely related to S. racemosa and considered part of that species by some botanists. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame, where it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed sown in spring will likely germinate better with 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. If growth is good, young plants can go into permanent positions in early summer; otherwise, overwinter them in a sheltered nursery bed or in pots and plant out the following spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7–10cm with a heel, can be taken in July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood from the current season's growth, 15–20cm with a heel, can be taken in late autumn in a frame or sheltered outdoor bed.

Other Uses

The stem is easily hollowed and can be used to make a whistle.

Notes

There are about 25 Sambucus species. They are also put in the family Caprifoliaceae. 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

Red Elder

Sambucus racemosa

(c) sarahggage, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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

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

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Cheren baz, Red elderberry, Rodhyll, Syoeu ridzo

References (32)

• Abbet, C., et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical survey on wild alpine food plants in Lower and Central Valais (Switzerland). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 151 (2014) 624–634
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 906
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 930
• Bowser, M., 2017, Handout on Edible Plants of the Kenai Peninsula. USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge p 8
• Cerne, M., 1992, Wild Plants from Slovenia used as Vegetables. Acta Horticulturae 318

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