I read on the internet “The parsley elderberry (Sambucus nigra var. lacinata) is a naturally occurring variant of the common elderberry, Sambucus nigra. […] The parsley elderberry is identical in all its properties to the common elderberry, only the leaf shape is different, deeply cut like with (Italian) parsley.”
Does this mean that I can safely use the flowers and berries of this variety to process for consumption as we are used to with the Ordinary Elder?
Answer
Dear Gert,
It is true that the parsley elderberry (Sambucus nigra var. laciniata) is a variety of the common elderberry that occurs here and there in nature. Because of its beautiful incised leaves it is also planted in gardens and then spread in the area. The flowers and berries do indeed have the same properties. There are also other varieties of the common elderberry with, for example, yellow leaves, white-edged leaves, black leaves or translucent berries.
However, the characteristics of other types of elderberry, such as the spray elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) and the herb elderberry (S. ebulus), are not the same as those of the common elderberry!
Answered by
Koen Es
Botany
Nieuwelaan 38 1860 Meise
http://www.plantentuinmeise.be
.