Common names: Common elder, arn tree, black elder, boon tree, boor tree, bore tree, bour tree, bur tree, elderberry, European elder, European elderberry, pipe tree, black elderberry Our Royal Horticultural Society Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ) is a fast growing native deciduous shrub with graceful fern like foliage, & upright stems with fine green leaves. It produces clusters of creamy white flower in June & July followed by large bunches of shiny black elderberries, high in Vitamin C. Both the flowers & berries are used in cordial & wine making. It comes into leaf early January & the leaves fall late in sheltered areas during November & have 57 leaflets with slightly serrated edges.