Black Elderberry is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 600cm.
Black Elderberry fruits (only) are cooked and made into jam and wine. Note that all parts of the raw plant are poisonous but thoroughly cooking the berries destroys the toxins responsible for poisoning.
Botanic classification and naming: Black Elderberry is a member of the Moschatel (Adoxaceae) family. The genus name
'Sambucus' identifies the plant as a Elderberry and its species name 'nigra' means 'black'.
Concerns: Raw, unprepared Black Elderberry plants, including their berries, are poisonous and can cause severe gastrointestinal illness and coma. The Black Elderberry can grow to be a very large plant, eventually to a height of up to 15 metres.
Benefits: Provides nectar for a wide range of insects and its berries attract fruit-eating birds.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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