Black Elderflower - can I make cordial from the flowers?

Taadaa

I know elderflower cordial can be made from the flower of a 'normal' elderflower, but what about a black elderflower? We have a large one in the garden smothered with flowers, and I am really keen to give it a go.

NoelleV

I've got one too and I was hoping to use the flowers in my elderflower champagne.so I'd be very keen to know too!

VoucherMan

I know nothing on the subject but started looking out of curiosity.

Everywhere I've looked suggests the 'normal' (common?) Elder is the Sambucus nigra.


All searches for 'Black Elderflower' lead to the same name - Sambucus nigra

Badrick

I found the following links, seems they're edible.
Hopefully you can match your tree to description, but if you are in any doubt I wouldn't risk it.
Sambucus nigra 'Gerda' BLACK BEAUTY
Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla 'Gerda

NoelleV

Thanks all
Mines a sambucus nigra 'black lace', it says suitable for wine making from the berries, so I'm guessing the flowers are fine too.
Maybe I'll end up with pink 'champagne'!

Jnelhams

The Elderberry plant itself (leaves, wood, roots, bark) contains a chemical which if eaten converts to Cyanide. However the flowers and fruit are fine. The Black Elderberry such as Black Lace are all just cultivars of Sambucus Nigra and so safe as per the above caution.

The berries are of course used to make Sambuca as well as added to jams.

The wood according to folk lore should never be burnt as it carries a curse.

arbroath_lass

Thank you for that! I have a "Black Beauty" and wondered too :-)