Elderberry, black

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Definition
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The black elder or south-west German-Swiss elder belongs to the muskweed family (Adoxaceae), previously it was classified as a honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae). It is one of the most common shrub species in Europe.

The black elder is medicinal plant of the year 2024.

The black elder is a strongly branched shrub or tree up to 11 meters tall that can reach an age of up to 100 years. The branches of the elderberry are often arching. The bark is grey-brown in color and covered with cork pores that look like light-colored bumps. These elevations are filled with a white pith.
The elderberry has oppositely arranged, almost 12 cm long leaves that are elliptical in shape and serrated at the edges. The white or slightly yellowish flowers each have five sepals, petals, free stamens with yellow anthers and three fused carpels. Its flowers and fruits are widely used as a remedy, food and dye, see Sambuci flos and Sambuci fructus (elderberry).

In August and September, the initially red, later black stone fruits, rich in vitamin C and potassium, begin to ripen. They have a burgundy-red juice that can hardly be washed out of textiles. As these fruits ripen, their stems also turn reddish. The berries are edible after boiling or fermentation.

The dried flowers (elderflowers - Sambuci flos) are used phytotherapeutically.

Cosmetics: extracts from Sambucus nigra are used in cosmetic formulations:

Sambucus nigra extract the extract from the flowers of the plant

Sambucus nigra berry extract the extract from the fruits of the plant

Sambucus nigra water the aqueous solution from the flowers of the plant