Envoy at 05:55, 14 October 2007

2007-10-14T05:55:32Z

New page

:''This page is about the plant. For other uses of the word '''Elder''', see the disambiguation page [[Elder (disambiguation)|Elder]].''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Elderberry or Elder
| image = Sambucus nigra 2004 c.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Black Elder (''[[Sambucus nigra]]'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Dipsacales]]
| familia = [[Adoxaceae]]
| genus = ''Sambucus''
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}

'''Elder''' or '''Elderberry''' (''Sambucus'') is a genus of between 5–30 species of [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s (two species [[herbaceous]]), formerly treated in the honeysuckle family [[Caprifoliaceae]], but now shown by [[genetics|genetic]] evidence to be correctly classified in the moschatel family [[Adoxaceae]]. The genus is native to temperate to subtropical regions of both the [[Northern Hemisphere]] and the [[Southern Hemisphere]]; the genus is more widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, with Southern Hemisphere occurrence restricted to parts of [[Australasia]] and [[South America]].

The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, [[pinnate]], with 5-9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11), each leaf 5-30 cm long, the leaflets with a serrated margin. They bear large clusters of small [[white]] or [[cream (colour)|cream]] coloured [[flowers]] in the late [[spring (season)|spring]], that are followed by clusters of small red, bluish or black (rarely yellow or white) [[berry|berries]]. Species have lifespans between 80 and 100 years.

The berries are a very valuable food resource for many [[bird]]s. Elders are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Brown-tail]], [[Buff Ermine]], [[Dot Moth]], [[Pavonia pavonia|Emperor Moth]], [[Engrailed|The Engrailed]], [[Swallow-tailed Moth]] and [[V-pug|The V-pug]]. The crushed foliage and immature fruit have a strong fetid smell. Dead elder wood is the preferred habitat of the mushroom [[Auricularia auricula-judae]], also known as "Judas' ear fungus".

[[Valley elderberry longhorn beetle]] in California are very often found around red or blue elderberry bushes. Females lay their eggs on the bark. Larvae hatch and burrow into the stems.

==Species groups==
*The '''common elder''' complex is variously treated as a single species ''Sambucus nigra'' found in the warmer parts of [[Europe]] and [[North America]] with several regional varieties or subspecies, or else as a group of '''several''' similar species. The flowers are in flat [[corymb]]s, and the berries are black to glaucous blue; they are larger shrubs, reaching 5–8 [[metre|m]] tall, occasionally small trees up to 15 [[metre|m]] tall and with a stem diameter of up to 30–60 [[centimetre|cm]].
** ''[[Sambucus australis]]'' ('''Southern Elder'''; temperate eastern South America)
** ''[[Sambucus canadensis]]'' ('''American Elder'''; eastern North America; with blue-black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus cerulea]]'' (syn. ''S. caerulea'', ''S. glauca''; '''Blueberry Elder'''; western North America; with blue berries)
** ''[[Sambucus javanica]]'' ('''Chinese Elder'''; southeastern Asia)
** ''[[Sambucus mexicana]]'' ('''Mexican Elder'''; Mexico and Central America; with blue-black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus nigra]]'' ('''Black Elder'''; Europe and western Asia; with black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus palmensis]]'' ('''Canary Islands Elder'''; Canary Islands; with black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus peruviana]]'' ('''Peruvian Elder'''; northwest South America; with black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus simpsonii]]'' ('''Florida Elder'''; southeastern United States; with blue-black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus peruviana]]'' ('''Andean Elder'''; northern South America; with blue-black berries)
** ''[[Sambucus velutina]]'' ('''Velvet Elder'''; southwestern North America; with blue-black berries)

*The '''Blackberry Elder''' ''[[Sambucus melanocarpa]]'' of western North America is intermediate between the preceding and next groups. The flowers are in rounded [[panicle]]s, but the berries are black; it is a small shrub, rarely exceeding 3–4 [[metre|m]] tall. Some botanists include it in the red-berried elder group.

*The '''red-berried elder''' complex is variously treated as a single species ''Sambucus racemosa'' found throughout the colder parts of the [[Northern Hemisphere]] with several regional varieties or subspecies, or else as a group of several similar species. The flowers are in rounded panicles, and the berries are bright red; they are smaller shrubs, rarely exceeding 3–4 [[metre|m]] tall.
** ''[[Sambucus callicarpa]]'' ('''Pacific Coast Red Elder'''; west coast of North America)
** ''[[Sambucus chinensis]]'' ('''Chinese Red Elder'''; eastern Asia, in mountains)
** ''[[Sambucus latipinna]]'' ('''Korean Red Elder'''; Korea, southeast Siberia)
** ''[[Sambucus microbotrys]]'' ('''Mountain Red Elder'''; southwest North America, in mountains)
** ''[[Sambucus pubens]]'' ('''American Red Elder'''; northern North America)
** ''[[Sambucus racemosa]]'' ('''European Red Elder''' or Red-berried Elder; northern Europe, northwest Asia)
** ''[[Sambucus sieboldiana]]'' ('''Japanese Red Elder'''; Japan and Korea)
** ''[[Sambucus tigranii]]'' ('''Caucasus Red Elder'''; southwest Asia, in mountains)
** ''[[Sambucus williamsii]]'' ('''North China Red Elder'''; northeast Asia)

*The '''Australian elder''' group comprises two species from [[Australasia]]. The flowers are in rounded panicles, and the berries white or yellow; they are shrubs growing to 3 [[metre|m]] high.
** ''[[Sambucus australasica]]'' ('''Yellow Elder'''; New Guinea, eastern Australia)
** ''[[Sambucus gaudichaudiana]]'' ('''Australian Elder''' or '''White Elder'''; shady areas of south eastern Australia)

*The '''dwarf elders''' are, by contrast to the other species, [[herbaceous]] plants, producing new stems each year from a perennial root system; they grow to 1.5–2 [[metre|m]] tall, each stem terminating in a large flat umbel which matures into a dense cluster of glossy berries.
** ''[[Sambucus adnata]]'' ('''Asian Dwarf Elder'''; Himalaya and eastern Asia; berries red)
** ''[[Sambucus ebulus]]'' ('''European Dwarf Elder'''; central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia; berries black)

==Uses==
Both flowers and berries can be made into [[elderberry wine]], and in [[Hungary]] an elderberry [[brandy]] is produced (requiring 50 [[kilogram|kg]] of fruit to produce 1 [[litre]] of brandy). The alcoholic drink [[sambuca]] is made by infusing elderberries{{Fact|date=August 2007}} and [[anise]] into alcohol. The berries are best not eaten [[raw food|raw]] as they are mildly [[poison]]ous, causing [[vomit]]ing, particularly if eaten unripe. The mild [[cyanide]] [[toxicity]] is destroyed by [[cooking]]. The berries can also be made into [[Fruit preserves|jam]], [[pie]]s or [[Pontack sauce]]. All green parts of the plant are poisonous, containing [[cyanogenic glycoside]]s (Vedel & Lange 1960).

[[Image:Holunderkultur.JPG|thumb|an elderberry-cultivation in Styria, Austria]]
The flowers may be used to make an [[herbal tea]], which is believed as a remedy for colds and fever. In [[Europe]], the flowers are made into a [[syrup]] or [[cordial]] (in Romanian: [[Socată]]), which is diluted with water before drinking. The popularity of this traditional drink has recently encouraged some commercial [[soft drink]] producers to introduce elderflower-flavoured drinks ([[Fanta]] Shokata). The flowers can also be used to make a mildly alcoholic, sparkling elderflower 'champagne'.

A few clinical studies have shown effectiveness of [[Sambucol]], a formulation based on an extract of elderberry, in the treatment of both adults and children with either type A or B influenza. [[Sambucol]] reduced both the severity and duration of flu symptoms in otherwise healthy subjects, but should not be considered a substitute for influenza vaccination in high risk individuals [http://www.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2702]. An ''in vitro'' study of Sambucol showed possible effectivness against the H5N1 [[avian influenza]] virus [http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Science/Laboratory_tests_show_Sambucol_neutralises_Common_and_Avian_Flu_Virus_H5N1_52108.html].

==Folklore==
The elder was formerly held to be unlucky to have in the garden. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge; shown in one way by a poem known as the Wiccan Rede where one line reads, "Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be." This may derive from ancient [[Paganism|Pagan]] beliefs, which held the elder sacred to the [[Lunar deity|Moon Goddess]]. The tree could only safely be cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother.<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987); pp. 134-5</ref>

==Trivia==
{{trivia|date=May 2007}}
*The [[box elder]] is not an elder at all, but an alternative name for the [[Manitoba Maple]].

==References and external links==
{{commonscat|Sambucus}}
<references/>
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?10679 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Sambucus'']
*[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-elder.html National Institute of Health - Medline page on ''Sambucus nigra'' L.]
*Vedel, H., & Lange, J. (1960). ''Trees and Bushes in Wood and Hedgerow''. Methuen & Co Ltd.
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3795690 Elder bush info and recipes] from the [[BBC]] Guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything website.
*[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/e/elder-04.html Grieve, 'A Modern Herbal' (1931)]

<gallery>
Image:Sambucus nigra0.jpg|Black Elder (''Sambucus nigra'')
Image:Elderberrybloom0377.JPG|American Elders in flower, [[Pamplico, South Carolina]], [[USA]]
Image:elderflower-detail-pd.jpg|American Elder flowers
Image:Elderberryfruit5081.JPG|Elderberry fruit heads, [[Yauhannah, South Carolina]], [[USA]]
Image:Sambucus racemosa2.jpg|Red-berried Elder (''Sambucus racemosa'')
Image:Elderberries2007-08-12.JPG|Ripe elderberries in August
</gallery>

[[Category:Dipsacales]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

Elderflower - Revision history

Envoy at 05:55, 14 October 2007