Sambucus nigra
Elder · also Elderberry, Black elder, European elder
Report an issue with this species
Sambucus nigra, commonly known as elder or elderberry, is a versatile flowering plant that grows as a shrub or small tree. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. This species is known for its white flowers, dark purple berries, and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making it suitable for urban environments where its flowers attract insects and berries provide food for birds.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 86,5575.9%——
- 6,7090.59%—1.9 in
- 1620.07%—11 in
- 1100.03%28 yr11 in
- 440.01%36 yr9.8 in
- 70.00%—3.0 in
- 20.00%——
- 20.00%—8.0 in
- 10.00%——
- 10.00%—2.0 in
Traits
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 10–30 ft
- Canopy spread
- 8–20 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained, Loamy
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Drought tolerance
- Moderate
- Pollution tolerance
- Moderate
- Wildlife value
- High
- Blooms
- May, Jun, Jul
Trunk diameters across every city: median 2.0 in, mean 2.8 in, 90th percentile 4.6 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Azores temperate mixed forests
- Baltic mixed forests
- Central European mixed forests
- East European forest steppe
- European Atlantic mixed forests
- Western European broadleaf forests
Montane Grasslands & Shrublands
- Kuh Rud and Eastern Iran montane woodlands
Other Sambucus in the catalogue
5 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
