Ribosome–inactivating proteins (RIPs) are proteins present in several species of plants and that have N-gylcosidase activity of the large RNA or ribosomes. The interaction of an RIP with an RIP-sensitive ribosome  inactivates it, thus arresting protein synthesis. Although the biological role of RIPs is not yet known, there is evidence in favour of the hypothesis that they could be involved in the defense of plants against viruses. In the last few years Sambucus species have been the object of intense investigation since the discovery that they have a complex mixture of diverse types of RIPs and related lectins. Sambucus  is therefore  an ideal model for studying these very special enzymes. Here we review all RIPs and lectins  that have been isolated form Sambucus  to date, describing the most important  characteristics and biological activities of each RIP and lectin and the evolutionary relationships between these and RIPs from other  plant species