Black Elder

Photo Black Elder :: fragrance ingredients

Black Elder, known scientifically as Sambucus nigra, has a unique place in fragrance creation. The plant, particularly its flowers and, occasionally, its berries, offers a subtly sweet and fresh aroma. Traditionally, elderflower extract is used for its delicate, somewhat fruity, and lightly floral scent, contributing a natural and gentle nuance to fragrances.While not as commonly used as other floral notes, Black Elder brings a soft, almost countryside-like quality to compositions. The use of Black Elder in perfumes can be traced back to classic European scents, where it was appreciated for its understated and natural fragrance.

Natural or Synthetic?
Black Elder, from the Sambucus nigra plant, is used in its natural form in perfumery. The flowers and sometimes the berries are the primary sources of the fragrance. Essential oils are typically extracted through enfleurage or solvent extraction methods, capturing the plant's delicate floral and fruity nuances. The natural essence of Black Elder is appreciated for its subtle, slightly sweet, and fresh floral fragrance, which is difficult to replicate synthetically. While there might be synthetic compounds that attempt to mimic its scent, the natural extract is favored for its authenticity and complexity.



Fragrance Families Black Elder Most Commonly Found In



Show fragrances that contain Black Elder as a note





Some Statistics on Black Elder



Note distribution of black elder across all fragrances

Percentage of fragrances in our database (1651 Fragrances) that contain black elder