Sambucus nigra is the Latin name for elder and has the following origins: nigra means “black” and refers to the color of the juice from the elderberry. Sambucus is believed to be a reference to the sambuca, an ancient stringed instrument carved from elder wood.
Flowers
A range of delicacies can be made from elderflower, including molasses, sparkling wine, cocktails and desserts. The fruit of the elder, the elderberries, can also be used to make delicious food. Elderberry jelly is particularly well known.