[Chazs]

 I have variagated elder flower trees/shrubs in my garden. are the berries from these the same as 'normal' elders?
there are not many elders wher i live so would like topick these before the birds
thank you.

[arugula]

I don't think the variegation in the leaves should affect the berries being edible, just watch out for the green parts of the plant - they are poisonous. 

[Chazs]

Thanks for your promt reply-off to see what i can salvage.  x

[Trillium]

According to Wiki, the seeds are also poisonous.

"Elder is cited as a poisonous plant to mammals and as a weed in certain habitats.[13] All parts of the plant except for the flowers and ripe berries (but including the ripe seeds) are poisonous, containing the cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin (C14H17NO6, CAS number 99-19-4).[14] The bark contains calcium oxalate crystals."

[arugula]

I recall we had a conversation on here quite recently about the effects elderberries had on the stomachs of some when they used to gorge as youngsters. You'll be fine with the flowers and ripe berries though. 

[Chazs]

seeds? where are  the seeds? I will be trying to make Pontack (elderberry sauce).
can i freeze elderberries?x

[arugula]

You can freeze them. Just fork them off the stems onto a baking tray or trays - do in batches if necessary as they don't want to be crowded at this stage. Once individually frozen, you can bag them. 

[Chazs]

Thank you all for your help. I'll have to freeze mine as i'm a little short of the required amount. x