European Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.)

Also known as European elderberry, European elder, black elder, elder.

We follow POWO's treatment of this and related taxa, which is also recognized by FSUS. What was formerly considered to be three subspecies of this species has been split into separate species. This species now refers only to what was formerly considered Sambucus nigra ssp. nigra, a European taxon that has been introduced only on scattered sites throughout North America. The native, eastern ssp. canadensis has been separated into American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), and the native, western ssp. caerulea has been separated into Sambucus cerulea Raf. Note that many other authorities including BONAP and Go Botany still lump these taxa together under this species' name.