Elderberry, Mexican (Sambucus mexicana), packet of 20 dried berries

$3.95

Family:  Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)

Hardy to Zone 6 to 11

(Sambucus nigra var. mexicana, Mexican Elderberry, Tapiro)  Deciduous shrub to small tree native to canyons and valleys west of the Sierra Nevada from Oregon to Baja.  Drought tolerant once established, the tree makes pretty yellow flowers that give way to the edible, purple berries.  This tree is an excellent choice for greening up the dry landscape.  The berries are suitable for making jam and are well-loved by wildlife.  We provide dried berries that contain on the average 3 seeds per berry.  Soak berries overnight, then smash in a tea strainer and wash with cold water until the seeds are separated from the flesh of the berry.  Sow in fall for germination in the spring, or place the seed in moist medium and give 70 days warm treatment followed by refrigeration for 90 days, then sow in greenhouse or shadehouse.  Those are the typical planting directions for Sambucus.  It may be worth mentioning that we once planted Sambucus mexicana seeds in standard shadehouse conditions on February 15 and achieved a high rate of germination on April 1, a 45 day induction period.  Seedlings and adult trees are nitrogen lovers.  Give composted chicken manure or other organic compost at the root zone for best results.

20 dried berries per packet, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s

In stock

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  1. Question

    Jorge

    Hello, Does this one has the same properties than the other species regarding immune system?

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    • Diana

      Diana

      Hello Jorge, Taxonomists are now grouping all elderberries together as varieties of Sambucus nigra. If this is truly the case on a cellular level then probably all the types with edible berries (including mexicana) are medicinally similar. I am most interested in the antiviral protein that has been discovered in Sambucus nigra but people swear by Sambucus cerulea and canadensis, perhaps also Sambucus mexicana, which some say is the same as S. carulea. All these species are used for fighting colds and influenza. The juice of the berries is the part most frequently used. The seeds are mildly toxic. Richo

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    • cloud9salon

      Hi, do you have instructions for how to make elderberry syrup for cold and flu prevention in one of your books? Thanks

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Yes, that would be “Making Plant Medicine.”

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    • Rashida

      Great and which variety is best for making a cold and flu preventative? I already have a canadesis and I am going to purchase the Nigra seeds but was wondering about the variety caked sauco. I live in Charlotte NC and I really want to grow the kind that prevents/treats cold and flu and may be effective against viruses. Thanks again! You respond so fast. I didn’t expect such a fast response. Thank you so much.

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      The berries of Sambucus nigra (European Black Elderberry) are official but many people use Sambucus canadensis. We’ll be harvesting fresh European Elderberry in October and you might want to wait to purchase and plant it at that time. We will also have plenty of black elderberry plants in spring of 2020 and those would save you 2 years of effort. r

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    • Fran

      Will Sambucus mexicana grow well in Sedona(8a)? I grew up on elderberry pies 🙂 Can the Sambucus mexicana berries be used in pies like the S. nigra berries?

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    • Diana

      Diana

      Hello Fran,
      Yes, Sambucus mexicana is very similar to Sambucus nigra, which is the official species. As long as the berries are cooked they are nontoxic.
      Richo

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    • Red River

      We live in Wichita Falls Texas where our summer days are over 100F between June and August. We have a lovely spot in the canopy of a myrtle tree where the elder would receive sun between 11a and 3p. Would it be too hot where we live for a Mexican Elderberry?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hallo red, the whole idea of the mexican elderberry is that it withstands great heat. i’ve seen them thriving on the median of the interstate in southern california. we started a large number of these this year and will be offering them for sale as plants next year. meanwhile, yes, seeds available. richo

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