Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Adoxaceae ⟩ Sambucus nigra / elder

Sambucus nigra L.

elder (Adoxaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Sambucus nigra is a shrub or small tree found throughout the British Isles, although it is not native to the far north of Scotland.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-06-18

 elder / Sambucus nigra: _Sambucus nigra_ is a shrub or small tree found throughout the British Isles, although it is not native to the far north of Scotland.

The leaves of Sambucus nigra typically have fewer leaflets than those of Fraxinus excelsior, with each leaflet more rounded along the edges and more stongly and uniformly serrate.

Cothill (VC22: Berkshire); 2015-06-04

 elder / Sambucus nigra: The leaves of _Sambucus nigra_ typically have fewer leaflets than those of _Fraxinus excelsior_, with each leaflet more rounded along the edges and more stongly and uniformly serrate.

Elderberries are edible and tasty, and are collected for use in jams, jellies and drinks.

Pyrton (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2017-08-28

 elder / Sambucus nigra: Elderberries are edible and tasty, and are collected for use in jams, jellies and drinks.

The bark of Sambucus nigra is rough and soon develops vertical fissures.

Longborough (VC33: East Gloucestershire); 2018-05-29

 elder / Sambucus nigra: The bark of _Sambucus nigra_ is rough and soon develops vertical fissures.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne