Sambucus mexicana

Sambucus mexicana may refer to the following North American black or blue elderberry species:

• Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC.

= Sambucus mexicana var. bipinnata Schltdl. & Cham.

= Sambucus canadensis L.

= Sambucus nigra L. subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli

• Sambucus mexicana auct. non C.Presl ex DC.

= Sambucus mexicana C.Presl ex DC. subsp. cerulea (Raf.) A.E.Murray

= Sambucus cerulea Raf.

= Sambucus nigra L. subsp. cerulea (Raf.) Bolli

Overview

Sambucus Mexicana, or Sambucus Nigra, is also known as Blue Elderberry, has a Genus background and is part of the Vibrionaceae (Caprifoliaceae) family tree. Its blooming period stretches from March to July. It is equally likely to occur in wetlands and non-wetlands.

Description

Sambucus mexicana tree that grows between 2-9 meters tall (30 feet). With pinnate leaves that consist of 5-9 leaflets, they emit a strong smell. The compounded leaves tend to be adorned with clusters of white to cream-colored, small flowers. These ensembles of flowers are conjoined with dark blue or black berries.

Habitat Distribution

Despite Sambucus Mexicana being indigenous to California, it is widely distributed throughout Southwestern United States in states New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and as well as regions in Mexico. Often situated in wetlands adjacent to rivers, scrublands, and woodlands. Due to the adaptability of the plant, it is both dry and moist tolerant and often thrives with a consistent water source.

Uses

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

All preparations and uses of all parts (except the flowers) of Sambucus is with regards to the deadly amount of cyanide carried within the plant. With that aside, the medicinal benefits of this plant are immense and have carried its fortune from pre-colonial times until now.

The flowers of Sambucus known as elder flowers can be picked and steeped into a tea for “colds, flu, fever, and clearing the skin”. No additional preparation is necessary.

When harvesting the flowers of Sambucus take care to leave at least more than 80% of the flowers so that there will be enough for the berries to grow and for those berries to be used in the future.

The bark of Sambucus is often used as “a cathartic, laxative, and diuretic”. The preparation of the bark involves aging for at least a year so that the cyanide has time to degrade. Sambucus and other western species of elderberry need more time than other elderberry species as they have larger amounts of cyanide. Indigenous to California, Sambucus is one of the largest elder tree carrier of cyanide.

Culinary

The fully ripe berries of Sambucus may be used medicinally for immune benefits. Preparation includes removing all stems and possibly unripe berries. The unripe berries contain cyanide even if they age off of the branch. Oftentimes people will make tinctures or a common favorite, elderberry syrup which can be eaten with pancakes or any other way that syrup would normally be consumed.

Relation to Indigenous Peoples

Sambucus mexicana has been utilized by a variety of Indigenous tribes in California, like Acjachemen Indians of San Juan Capistrano, California, and is an important plant for them. For the Acjachemen people, it is known as the “tree of music,” for the construction of wood to develop into clapper sticks, a wind instrument.

Related Species

Sambucus mexicana is closely related to many other elderberry species like Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) and Sambucus canadensis (American elderberry).