Sambucus | |
---|---|
European black elder (Sambucus nigra) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Dipsacales |
Family: | Adoxaceae |
Genus: |
Sambucus L. |
Species | |
See text |
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
---|---|
Energy | 305 kJ (73 kcal) |
18.4 g
|
|
Dietary fiber | 7 g |
0.5 g
|
|
0.66 g
|
|
Vitamins | |
Vitamin A equiv. |
(4%)
30 μg |
Thiamine (B1) |
(6%)
0.07 mg |
Riboflavin (B2) |
(5%)
0.06 mg |
Niacin (B3) |
(3%)
0.5 mg |
Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(3%)
0.14 mg |
Vitamin B6 |
(18%)
0.23 mg |
Folate (B9) |
(2%)
6 μg |
Vitamin C |
(43%)
36 mg |
Minerals | |
Calcium |
(4%)
38 mg |
Iron |
(12%)
1.6 mg |
Magnesium |
(1%)
5 mg |
Phosphorus |
(6%)
39 mg |
Potassium |
(6%)
280 mg |
Zinc |
(1%)
0.11 mg |
Other constituents | |
Water | 79.80 g |
|
|
|
|
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
See text
Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry. The genus was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but was reclassified due to genetic and morphological comparisons to Adoxa. In Sambucus, there are between 5 and 30 species of deciduous shrubs, small trees and herbaceous perennial plants.
The genus occurs in temperate to subtropical regions of the world. More widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of Australasia and South America. Many species are widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves, flowers and fruit.
The leaves are pinnate with 5–9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11). Each leaf is 5–30 cm (2.0–11.8 in) long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).
Other species:
Ornamental varieties of Sambucus are grown in gardens for their showy flowers, fruits and lacy foliage. Native species of elderberry are often planted by people wishing to support native butterfly and bird species.
Elderberry fruit or flowers are used as dietary supplements for minor diseases such as flu, colds, constipation, and other conditions, often served as a tea, extract, or in a capsule. There is insufficient research to know its effectiveness for such uses or its safety profile.