Developing an understanding of American elderberry ( Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli) to support breeding efforts

Elderberries ( Sambucus spp.) have been valued as food and medicine around the world for millennia. Elderberry products are experiencing an increase in demand as ongoing research substantiates their putative health benefits. European elderberries ( Sambucus nigra subsp. nigra ) are an established industry in Europe and are often imported into the United States to meet demand for elderberry products. However, European cultivars do not reliably perform well in US Midwest environments. American elderberry ( Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis ) is native to eastern North America and has only recently seen an increase in production and research efforts. The growing American elderberry industry in North America is mainly supported by cultivars selected from the wild. Targeted breeding efforts have the potential to substantially improve the performance and quality of American elderberry cultivars in a way that helps meet growing demand for domestic elderberry products. The following review summarizes foundational research on American elderberry performance, phenology, quality, and composition that informs emerging breeding efforts. Existing germplasm resources and trials are also summarized to aid both producers and new breeding initiatives, highlighting opportunities for growth. The body of work presented enables the informed development of new breeding pipelines and processes for American elderberries in the southern US Midwest, which are in their early stages but are well‐positioned to support industry growth and production.