Page 150 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp.
caerulea (Blue) and S. nigra ssp.
canadensis (American/Black)

(ADOXACEAE)

ELDERBERRY is a deciduous, woody shrub with and flu.
arching branches. Elderberries can grow to 30 ft.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: June and July are typi-
(9m), but are more commonly about 12 ft. (3m) tall.
cally the seasons for elderflower blossoms. To ensure
They prefer areas with full sunlight and low mois-
freshness, collect them in a mesh bag or open contain-
ture. The bark is smooth and green when young, and er, keep them out of the sun, and process them the
forms round lumps (lenticels) and turns brown/grey same day. Dried clusters can be made into fritters or
with age, eventually developing vertical furrows.
used to flavor syrups and drinks. Berries are edible
Branches and trunks have a pithy center. Note that
only when fully ripe and fully cooked. They ripen from
Red Elderberry, S. racemosa, has edible fruits and
August to October and should be nearly black or pur-
flowers (cooked only), with the same warnings as ple and release purple juice when squeezed. Cooking
these Elderberry species. will remove lingering toxins present in the fruit flesh
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Tiny cream-colored flowers and seeds. Elderberries have a short shelf-life once
appear in flat-topped clusters in April-July. They are picked. They can be frozen for future use.
0.2-0.3 inches (0.5-0.7cm) across and fragrant, with
ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL: Boil water in a pot and
5 flat petals and 5 protruding stamens. Fruits ripen
dissolve 1 lb. sugar (500g). Remove from heat and mix
through the summer, taking on red, blue, or black
in: 20 fresh elderflower heads, 25g citric acid, 1 zested
hues. Each fruit is about 0.2 inches (0.5cm) and con-
and sliced lemon. Cover and steep for 12-24 hrs. Drain
tains 3-5 conspicuous seeds.
liquid through a cheesecloth.
LEAF: Bright green compound leaves grow in oppos-
WARNING: Seeds, bark, roots, leaves, and unripe ber-
ing pairs in a pinnate. Leaflets are 2.5-6 inches (7-
ries are poisonous and can lead to cyanide poisoning.
15cm) long with serrated edges. They may be ellipti-
Flowers, if consumed directly, may cause diarrhea. Al-
cal or lance-shaped and give off a distinct odor.
ways dry and/or cook flowers and berries.
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit, flowers (dried/cooked; See POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Buckthorn, Rhamnus ca-
WARNING) thartica; Devil’s Walking Cane, Aralia spinosa; and Poi-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Elderberry is a well-known son Hemlock, Conium maculatum
antiviral, used as a prevention and remedy for colds
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