Elderberry Seeds – Sambucus nigra

Description

Elderflowers are the edible blossoms of the Elder tree, Sambucus nigra. This small tree is native to Europe and North America. It blossoms in late spring and produces dark berries in late summer. Elderberries are edible but must be cooked before eating to get rid of toxins. Toxins are most likely when the berry is not a dark black and starting to soften so picket the ripest that you can. It is also very fast growing and selfseeding in some warmer areas.

In Scandinavia, according to legend, the Elder tree (Sambucus nigra) from which Elderberries derive is inhabited by a notorious fairy spirit known as the Elder Mother whose easily offended and spiteful nature was the origin of many taboos. This is an old fable that was in a fairytale written by Hans Christian Anderson.