Sambucus nigra Flower Identity & Plant Part
The botanical entity is Sambucus nigra L., the European or black elder, a shrub of the Viburnaceae. The part used is the flower, which is the creamy-white umbel produced in early summer. Berries, leaves, bark and stems are not part of this ingredient.
The flower and the berry of the same shrub are different raw materials with different chemistry. Flowers carry flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids and volatile oil, while berries carry anthocyanins and organic acids. Other parts of elder contain cyanogenic compounds, which is why plant part control matters when a Sambucus nigra flower extract is specified.












