Sambucus canadensis
American black elderberry
Sambucus canadensis, commonly known as American elderberry, is a versatile deciduous shrub native to North America. Renowned for its dark, nutrient-dense berries and fragrant white flowers, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine for its potent antiviral, immune-boosting, and antioxidant properties, making it a staple in natural wellness.
- Scientific name: Sambucus canadensis
- Family: Viburnaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dipsacales, it is classified under the family Viburnaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sambucus, specifically the species Sambucus canadensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dipsacales | WCVP |
| Family | Viburnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sambucus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Sambucus canadensis, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In Russian, it is referred to as Бузина канадская, while in Welsh, it is called Ysgawen America. The Dutch name for this species is Amerikaanse vlier, and in Finnish, it is known as kanadanselja. Additionally, in Chinese, the plant is identified as 加拿大接骨木.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Бузина канадская | Wikidata |
| cy | Ysgawen America | Wikidata |
| nl | Amerikaanse vlier | Wikidata |
| fi | kanadanselja | Wikidata |
| zh | 加拿大接骨木 | Wikidata |
| ar | خمان كندي | Wikidata |
| et | Kanada leeder | Wikidata |
| ne | कनिकेफूल | Wikidata |
| th | พวงไข่มุก | Wikidata |
| arz | خمان كندى | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans multiple continents and climatic zones. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also documented growing in Germany. Its distribution extends to the Macaronesian region, specifically around the Canary Islands. Finally, the plant reaches West-Central Tropical Africa, found in both Burundi and the Gulf of Guinea Islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicine. While the whole plant is occasionally referenced in holistic studies, most therapeutic applications focus on specific tissues. The leaves and the bark contain cyanogenic glycosides and are generally considered toxic if ingested, requiring careful handling. Conversely, the roots are often used in decoctions for their specific medicinal properties, though they must be prepared with caution. The seeds, found within the dark purple berries, are typically consumed alongside the fruit but should be processed correctly to avoid discomfort.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Sambucus canadensis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, isoquercetin, phytosterols, quercetin.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoquercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesquiterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Sambucus canadensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, carcinogenesis, hypertension, infectious diseases, infertility.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carcinogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |