European elder

Sambucus nigra L.

Family: Viburnaceae

Suckers
Hedge

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

flowers (heat-treat), ripe berries (cooked)

Hazardous parts

raw berries and unripe fruit, leaves, twigs, stems, roots, seeds

Preparation

Oregon State Extension EM 9446 and University of Minnesota Extension: do not eat elderberries raw; remove stems, leaves and unripe berries; discard seeds when possible; boil at least 10 minutes (UMN); baked goods work because moisture and heat destroy the toxins; heat-treat flowers and dried berries; for flowers, discard stray leaf and stem. Avoid red elderberry (S. racemosa). Canning advice differs between universities. Penn State (Feb 2025): elderberries are low-acid, cannot be canned safely in a boiling-water canner, and no research has been completed on pressure canning, so do not use traditional recipes. Oregon State EM 9446 (Nov 2024): low acid; use only specific high-sugar-ratio recipes for water-bath canning, and one tested recipe is published. University of Minnesota: treat as low acid, always add an acidifying ingredient (lemon juice, citric acid or vinegar) and follow a research-based recipe. Freezing and refrigerating cooked products is safe (Penn State). Oregon State says blue elderberry is high acid. None of these is a Florida source.

Hazard type

cyanide-inducing glycosides (NC State); sambunigrin, a cyanogenic glycoside, in leaves, stems and seeds (Penn State)

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 5a to 7b (US system).
Mature size: Height 8-20 ft (NC State: 10-20 ft in attributes); width 8-20 ft.
Where it comes from: Europe (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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