European black elderberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European elderberry
• Europen elder
• black elderberry
• Elder
• Elderberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sambucus nigra var. laciniata
• Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla
• Sambucus alba
• Sambucus nigra var. pulla
• Sambucus nigra var. dimorphophylla
• Sambucus nigra var. albovariegata
• Sambucus pulverulenta
• Sambucus nigra f. albovariegata
• Sambucus pyramidata
• Sambucus nigra var. variegata
• Sambucus leucocarpa
• Sambucus nigra var. vulgaris
• Sambucus linearis
• Sambucus nigra var. luteovariegata
• Sambucus lucida
• Sambucus nigra var. aureovariegata
• Sambucus nigra var. aurea
• Sambucus monstrosa
• Sambucus nigra var. heterophylla
• Sambucus hirta
• Sambucus nigra var. cannabinifolia
• Sambucus nigra var. linearis
• Sambucus nigra f. linearis
• Sambucus nigra f. dissecta
• Sambucus columnaris
• Sambucus nigra f. heterophylla
• Sambucus nigra filifolia
• Sambucus vulgaris
• Sambucus nigra var. rotundifolia
• Sambucus virescens
• Sambucus nigra var. mileri
• Sambucus nigra var. viridis
• Sambucus nigra var. alba
• Sambucus nigra var. chlorocarpa
• Sambucus nigra var. virescens
• Sambucus nigra f. viridis
• Sambucus nigra f. alba
• Sambucus nigra var. leucocarpa
• Sambucus nigra var. albida
• Sambucus nigra var. pyramidalis
• Sambucus nigra f. pyramidalis
• Sambucus nigra var. pyramidata
• Sambucus nigra fastigiata
• Sambucus nigra var. pendula
• Sambucus nigra pendula-nova
• Sambucus laciniata
• Sambucus nigra f. chlorocarpa
• Sambucus aurea
• Sambucus nigra f. luteovariegata
• Sambucus nigra f. aurea
• Sambucus nigra f. laciniata
• Sambucus nigra f. pyramidata
• Sambucus nigra f. rotundifolia
• Sambucus nigra var. decussata
• Sambucus nigra f. pendula
• Sambucus dissecta
• Sambucus floribunda
• Sambucus elegans

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Sambucus nigra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Dipsacales. Finally, it is a member of the family Viburnaceae and falls under the genus Sambucus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Europe. In the western parts of the continent, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving further north, the species is also established within the territories of Norway and Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends into the easternmost reaches of the region, including Finland. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse Northern European climates.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sambucus nigra is characterized by a broad environmental plasticity, allowing it to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2700 m AMSL. This wide elevational range facilitates its presence in various climatic zones, from lowland coastal regions to high-altitude montane environments. In terms of landscape integration, the species frequently colonizes anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), demonstrating a significant capacity to adapt to human-modified habitats, such as gardens, hedgerows, and disturbed edges of agricultural or urban lands. Furthermore, its physiological ecology is marked by a lack of specialized mycorrhizal associations, as it does not rely on mycorrhiza for its growth and nutrient uptake processes.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Sambucus nigra is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically developing into a woody shrub or small tree that thrives in various temperate habitats. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which is a key aspect of its survival strategy in fluctuating climates. Its growth habit as a phanerophyte ensures that its structural components remain elevated, facilitating efficient light capture and reproductive success throughout its long-lived life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sambucus nigra is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning primarily as a shrub or a small tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a vine or liana, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, its height is variable, typically ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 10 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 6.1335 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6.1335 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sambucus nigra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing standard carbon fixation processes typical of many temperate woody species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than capturing prey, and it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Morphologically, the foliage exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8.8 cm. The leaf width shows a similar range of variation, spanning from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 4.9 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 10.68225 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 196.11 cm²/g, reflecting the structural investment of the leaf tissue in relation to its photosynthetic capacity and resource acquisition strategy.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

8.8 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

10.68225 cm²

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.9 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

196.11 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sambucus nigra is primarily sexual, utilizing bisexual flowers that facilitate genetic diversity. The flowering period typically begins in April and extends through July. This reproductive process relies on biotic pollination, specifically following an insect pollination syndrome, and is characterized by the absence of self-fertilization. The plant produces fleshy, indehiscent fruit classified as a berry, with an average fruit length of 0.615 cm and an average width of 0.55 cm. These fruits serve as the vehicle for zoochorous dispersal, specifically via an endozoochorous mechanism, where seeds are distributed through the digestive tracts of animals. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The individual seeds are small, with a consistent mean length of 3 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.013038 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0019 g to a maximum of 0.145 g). The seed volume varies, with a minimum of 3.8 mm³, a maximum of 7.1 mm³, and a mean volume of 5.45 mm³. Asexual reproduction is noted to be absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.615 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.55 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.145 g

Seed mass mean:

0.013038 g

Seed mass min:

0.0019 g

Seed volume max:

7.1 mm³

Seed volume mean:

5.45 mm³

Seed volume min:

3.8 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sambucus nigra has 3 reported plant parts identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit, leaf.

Flower

1. Planta medica
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5. Natural product research

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
4. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Chemicals

Sambucus nigra has 228 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RUTIN, quercetin, Flavonoids, ANTHOCYANIN, Anthocyanins.

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Natural product research

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Natural product communications
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5. RSC advances

Flavonoids

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Natural product research
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Biology
2. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3. RSC advances

Anthocyanins

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. RSC advances

Cyanidin 3-sambubioside

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ZN

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti
2. Environmental science and pollution research international
3. Toxics

polyphenols

1. Journal of functional foods
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CA

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Toxics

Activities

Sambucus nigra has 698 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biology
3. Journal of functional foods
4. Environmental science and pollution research international
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of functional foods
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceutics

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of functional foods

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

Antineoplastic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Sambucus nigra has 34 reported investigations on conditions identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, antidiabetic, influenza, antioxidant, atherosclerosis.

Inflammation

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine
4. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Biology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. International journal of molecular sciences

Influenza

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Atherosclerosis

1. Recent patents on cardiovascular drug discovery
2. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

Oxidative stress

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Food chemistry

Viral infections

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Aids

1. The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ

Candida albicans

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hhv-1

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Sambucus nigra has 11 reported preparations identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Elderberry hydrolate, Ethanol extracts, Ethanolic (E-99.5%) and hydroalcoholic (H-70%) extracts, Plant extracts, bark.

Elderberry hydrolate

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethanol extracts

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Ethanolic (e-99.5%) and hydroalcoholic (h-70%) extracts

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Plant extracts

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Bark

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Pharmaceutics

Extracts of elder berry

1. Journal of natural products

Flowers

1. Planta medica

Homoeopathic mother tinctures

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Leaf extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)