Red Elder, Red-berried elder, Alpine elder
Sambucus racemosa

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

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.

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

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

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.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by hardwood cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Cheren baz, Red elderberry, Rodhyll, Syoeu ridzo

Synonyms

Sambucus pubens; ?