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Sambucus racemosa

Sambucus racemosa
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Sambucus racemosa (Sambucus racemosa) — botanical photograph
Pl. 5315 — Sambucus racemosa
Sambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosaSambucus racemosa
I

Overview

Sambucus racemosa, commonly known as European elder or black elder, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to much of Europe and parts of North America. It thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5 and 5.5, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. The plant's native range includes regions such as Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Austria, Belarus, and many other European countries. Sambucus racemosa is valued for its edible flowers and fruits, which can be used in jams, syrups, and teas. Its light requirement of 5/10 indicates it prefers partial shade to full sun. This plant reaches a height of about 3 meters and is known for its distinctive clusters of small white flowers followed by dark purple berries.

Quick answers

What is Sambucus racemosa?

Sambucus racemosa, commonly known as European elder or black elder, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to much of Europe and parts of North America. It thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH between 5 and 5.

What is Sambucus racemosa used for?

Traditionally used for immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Sambucus racemosa
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Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Benefits & evidence

1 claim · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • Sambucus racemosa has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support the immune system, particularly during cold and flu season. A decoction made from its flowers or berries may help maintain healthy immune function.

    The mechanism involves anthocyanins and other flavonoids that have antioxidant properties and can modulate cytokine production, supporting immune health.

    ▲ ModerateImmune support →
IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Sambucus racemosa support blend
general
tea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Sambucus racemosa thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5-5.5. It prefers partial to full sunlight and is hardy in zones 3-7. This plant grows up to 3 meters tall and can be found as both a tree and shrub. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but avoid overwatering. Propagate via cuttings or seeds. Harvest its edible flowers and fruit for use in various culinary applications.
Light
5/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Habit
Tree, Shrub
Mature size
3.0 m tall
Soil pH
5–5.5
For first-time growers

How to grow Sambucus racemosa for the first time

7steps

Start with planting Sambucus racemosa in a well-prepared soil and follow basic care instructions for success.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    A young Sambucus racemosa plant, garden gloves, trowel, watering can.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is workable and temperatures are mild.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure the soil is moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy with a pH of 5-5.5. Amend as needed to achieve this condition.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Transplant young plants into a prepared garden bed or container. Space them about 3 meters apart for shrubs or trees.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water the plant regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for any signs of stress or pests.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide regular watering during dry spells and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Prune in late winter to maintain shape.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter to encourage new growth and remove any dead or damaged branches. Flowers can be harvested for use.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:FlowersFruit
Edible uses: The flowers and fruits of Sambucus racemosa are edible. The flowers can be used raw in salads or cooked to make fritters, while the fruits are often made into jams or jellies. Both parts are typically harvested when ripe and can also be dried for later use.
Other uses:textilesLumberFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

75 native · 7 introduced
Distribution across3 continents· 75 native· 7 introduced
Europe22 regions
native (17)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwitzerlandUkraine
introduced (5)DenmarkFinlandNorwaySwedenUnited Kingdom
Asia2 regions
native (1)Georgia
introduced (1)Kazakhstan
Americas2 regions
native (1)United States
introduced (1)Bolivia
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Arizona, Baltic States, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Labrador, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yugoslavia, Yukon
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Sambucus racemosa (Sambucus racemosa) — botanical photograph
Sambucus racemosa (Sambucus racemosa)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Growing zone
XII

About this entry

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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 5315479d-c47c-42ad-ba33-5a8609377280
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