Difference between revisions of "Elder"

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{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Adoxaceae
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|genus=Sambucus
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|common_name=Elderberry or Elder
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|poisonous=toxic, except ripe berries
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|poison_ref=Wikipedia
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|lifespan=perennial
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|Temp Metric=°F
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|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
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|image=Elderberries2007-08-12.JPG
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|image_width=240
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|image_caption=Ripening elderberries
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}}
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'''''Sambucus''''' ('''elder''' or '''elderberry''') is a genus of between 5 and 30 species of shrubs or small trees in the [[moschatel]] family, [[Adoxaceae]].  It was formerly placed in the [[honeysuckle]] family, [[Caprifoliaceae]], but was reclassified due to genetic evidence.  Two of its species are [[herbaceous]].
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The genus is native in temperate-to-subtropical regions of both the [[Northern Hemisphere]] and the [[Southern Hemisphere]]. It is more widespread in the Northern Hemisphere; its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of [[Australasia]] and [[South America]].
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The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[pinnate]] with 5–9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11). Each leaf is {{convert|5|–|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-coloured [[flower]]s in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).
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{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Sambucus (old Latin name for the elder, also spelled Sabucus). Caprifoliaceae. Elder. Ornamental mostly woody plants grown for their handsome foliage, showy clusters of white flowers, and the attractive red or black berries.
 
Sambucus (old Latin name for the elder, also spelled Sabucus). Caprifoliaceae. Elder. Ornamental mostly woody plants grown for their handsome foliage, showy clusters of white flowers, and the attractive red or black berries.
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The elders are large and rather coarse shrubs, rarely tree-like, or perennials spreading by suckers, with pinnate foliage and large flat or panicled clusters of white or creamy white small flowers followed by red or black, rarely glaucous or in some varieties green or yellow fruits. They are well adapted for mass planting and are very effective as well in bloom as in fruit in their proper places. They prefer rich and humid soil and most species are hardy North; S. caerulea and its var. neo-mexicana are hardy at least as far north as Massachusetts. Propagation is by seeds which germinate readily and by hardwood and greenwood cuttings, also by root-cuttings; the perennial species and also S. canadensis by suckers.
 
The elders are large and rather coarse shrubs, rarely tree-like, or perennials spreading by suckers, with pinnate foliage and large flat or panicled clusters of white or creamy white small flowers followed by red or black, rarely glaucous or in some varieties green or yellow fruits. They are well adapted for mass planting and are very effective as well in bloom as in fruit in their proper places. They prefer rich and humid soil and most species are hardy North; S. caerulea and its var. neo-mexicana are hardy at least as far north as Massachusetts. Propagation is by seeds which germinate readily and by hardwood and greenwood cuttings, also by root-cuttings; the perennial species and also S. canadensis by suckers.
  
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S. callicarpa, Greene (S. leiosperma, Leiberg. S. racemosa var. callicarpa, Jepson). Allied to S. pubens: shrub to 10 ft.: lfts. oblong to lanceolate, pubescent on the veins beneath while young: infl. broadly pyramidal or hemispherical: nutlets smooth. Alaska to Calif., Japan. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 5. G.F. 10:175. Mn. 2:21 (as S. pubens). —S. chinensis, Lindl.—S. javanica.—S. Ebulus, Linn. Herbaceous, stoloniferous, to 5 ft.: lfts. 5-9, elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, pubescent; stipules large: cymes flat, 3-rayed; fls. white or pinkish, anthers purple, fragrant: fr. black, 1/4 in. across. Eu., Afr., W. Asia. R.F.G. 12:779. S.E.B. 4:638.—S. Fontenaysii, Carr. (S. caerulea X S. nigra). Intermediate between the parents: lvs. bluish green: cymes large: fr. black, bloomy. Garden origin.—S. javanica, Reinw. (S. chinensis, Lindl. S. Thunbergiana, Blume). Suffruticose, to 6 ft.: lfts. 5-7, elliptic-lanceolate, the upper ones sometimes decurrent, long-acuminate, sparingly pubescent while young, to 8 in. long: cymes flat, 5-6 in. across, with scattered large aborted fleshy fls.: fr. ovoid, red. Japan, China to Malay Archipelago.—S. leiosperma, Leiberg- S. callicarpa.—S. melanocarpa. Gray. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 12 ft.: lfts. oblong-lanceolate, pubescent beneath while young, 4-5 in. long: infl. ovate: fr. 1/4 in. thick, black, rarely reddish brown. Brit. Col. to Calif. G.F. 10:135. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 4. I.T. 5:173.—S. mexicana, D.C. (S. canadensis var. mexicana, Sarg.). Tree, to 30 ft.: lvs. 5-9-foliolate, sometimes bipinnate; lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, pubescent on both sides while young, later only below, 2-6 in. long: cymes flat, 6-8 in. across: fr. nearly black, ribbed, 1/4 in. across. W. Texas to S. Calif., Mex. S.S. 5:221. In Mex. planted sometimes near houses as a shade-tree and for its fr. —S. microbotrys, Rydb. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 6 ft., glabrous: lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, to 5 in. long: infl. small, nearly hemispherical, about 2 in. long: fr. scarlet. Calif. to Colo. and Nev.—S. Sieboldiana, Graebn. (S. racemosa var. Sieboldiana, Miq.). Closely related to S. racemosa: lfts. oblong-ovate to lanceolate, smooth, not rugulose above, more finely serrate, to 4 or occasionally to 8 in. long: fls. and frs. smaller. Japan, China. S.I.F.2:74 (as S. racemosa).—S. Simpsonii, Rehd. Allied to S. canadensis. Small tree, to 15 ft., with deeply furrowed bark: lfts. usually 5, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, lustrous above, glabrous, 1  1/2-3 in. long: cymes with 4 or 5 rays, the central ray as long or longer than the lateral rays: ovary 5-celled. Fla. S.T.S. 2:175.—S. Thunbergiana, Blume - S. javanica. The plant cult. under this name is S. racemosa or possibly sometimes S. Sieboldiana.
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S. callicarpa, Greene (S. leiosperma, Leiberg. S. racemosa var. callicarpa, Jepson). Allied to S. pubens: shrub to 10 ft.: lfts. oblong to lanceolate, pubescent on the veins beneath while young: infl. broadly pyramidal or hemispherical: nutlets smooth. Alaska to Calif., Japan. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 5. G.F. 10:175. Mn. 2:21 (as S. pubens). —S. chinensis, Lindl.—S. javanica.—S. Ebulus, Linn. Herbaceous, stoloniferous, to 5 ft.: lfts. 5-9, elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, pubescent; stipules large: cymes flat, 3-rayed; fls. white or pinkish, anthers purple, fragrant: fr. black, 1/4 in. across. Eu., Afr., W. Asia. R.F.G. 12:779. S.E.B. 4:638.—S. Fontenaysii, Carr. (S. caerulea X S. nigra). Intermediate between the parents: lvs. bluish green: cymes large: fr. black, bloomy. Garden origin.—S. javanica, Reinw. (S. chinensis, Lindl. S. Thunbergiana, Blume). Suffruticose, to 6 ft.: lfts. 5-7, elliptic-lanceolate, the upper ones sometimes decurrent, long-acuminate, sparingly pubescent while young, to 8 in. long: cymes flat, 5-6 in. across, with scattered large aborted fleshy fls.: fr. ovoid, red. Japan, China to Malay Archipelago.—S. leiosperma, Leiberg- S. callicarpa.—S. melanocarpa. Gray. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 12 ft.: lfts. oblong-lanceolate, pubescent beneath while young, 4-5 in. long: infl. ovate: fr. 1/4 in. thick, black, rarely reddish brown. Brit. Col. to Calif. G.F. 10:135. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 4. I.T. 5:173.—S. mexicana, D.C. (S. canadensis var. mexicana, Sarg.). Tree, to 30 ft.: lvs. 5-9-foliolate, sometimes bipinnate; lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, pubescent on both sides while young, later only below, 2-6 in. long: cymes flat, 6-8 in. across: fr. nearly black, ribbed, 1/4 in. across. W. Texas to S. Calif., Mex. S.S. 5:221. In Mex. planted sometimes near houses as a shade-tree and for its fr. —S. microbotrys, Rydb. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 6 ft., glabrous: lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, to 5 in. long: infl. small, nearly hemispherical, about 2 in. long: fr. scarlet. Calif. to Colo. and Nev.—S. Sieboldiana, Graebn. (S. racemosa var. Sieboldiana, Miq.). Closely related to S. racemosa: lfts. oblong-ovate to lanceolate, smooth, not rugulose above, more finely serrate, to 4 or occasionally to 8 in. long: fls. and frs. smaller. Japan, China. S.I.F.2:74 (as S. racemosa).—S. Simpsonii, Rehd. Allied to S. canadensis. Small tree, to 15 ft., with deeply furrowed bark: lfts. usually 5, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, lustrous above, glabrous, 1  1/2-3 in. long: cymes with 4 or 5 rays, the central ray as long or longer than the lateral rays: ovary 5-celled. Fla. S.T.S. 2:175.—S. Thunbergiana, Blume - S. javanica. The plant cult. under this name is S. racemosa or possibly sometimes S. Sieboldiana.{{SCH}}
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{{Taxobox
 
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| color = lightgreen
 
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| name = Elderberry or Elder
 
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| image = Sambucus nigra 2004 c.jpg
 
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| image_width = 240px
 
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| image_caption = Black Elder (''[[Sambucus nigra]]'')
 
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
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| phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
 
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
 
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| ordo = [[Dipsacales]]
 
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| familia = [[Adoxaceae]]
 
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| genus = ''Sambucus''
 
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
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| subdivision = See text
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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'''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]].
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==Cultivation==
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{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
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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.
 
  
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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".
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===Propagation===
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{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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[[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.
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===Pests and diseases===
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
 
==Species groups==
 
==Species groups==
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*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&ndash;8&nbsp;[[metre|m]] tall, occasionally small trees up to 15&nbsp;[[metre|m]] tall and with a stem diameter of up to 30&ndash;60&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]].
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[[Image:Sambucus nigra 2004 c.jpg|thumb|Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)]]
 
[[Image:Holunderkultur.JPG|thumb|Elderberry cultivation in Austria]]
 
[[Image:Holunderkultur.JPG|thumb|Elderberry cultivation in Austria]]
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*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]].
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** ''[[Sambucus australis]]'' ('''Southern Elder'''; temperate eastern South America)
 
** ''[[Sambucus australis]]'' ('''Southern Elder'''; temperate eastern South America)
 
** ''[[Sambucus canadensis]]'' ('''American Elder'''; eastern North America; with blue-black berries)
 
** ''[[Sambucus canadensis]]'' ('''American Elder'''; eastern North America; with blue-black berries)
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** ''[[Sambucus velutina]]'' ('''Velvet Elder'''; southwestern North America; with blue-black berries)
 
** ''[[Sambucus velutina]]'' ('''Velvet Elder'''; southwestern North America; with blue-black berries)
  
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*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&ndash;4&nbsp;[[metre|m]] tall. Some botanists include it in the red-berried elder group.
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*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.
  
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*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&ndash;4&nbsp;[[metre|m]] tall.
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*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 callicarpa]]'' ('''Pacific Coast Red Elder'''; west coast of North America)
 
** ''[[Sambucus chinensis]]'' ('''Chinese Red Elder'''; eastern Asia, in mountains)
 
** ''[[Sambucus chinensis]]'' ('''Chinese Red Elder'''; eastern Asia, in mountains)
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** ''[[Sambucus williamsii]]'' ('''North China Red Elder'''; northeast Asia)
 
** ''[[Sambucus williamsii]]'' ('''North China Red Elder'''; northeast Asia)
  
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*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&nbsp;[[metre|m]] high.
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*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 australasica]]'' ('''Yellow Elder'''; New Guinea, eastern Australia)
 
** ''[[Sambucus gaudichaudiana]]'' ('''Australian Elder''' or '''White Elder'''; shady areas of south eastern Australia)
 
** ''[[Sambucus gaudichaudiana]]'' ('''Australian Elder''' or '''White Elder'''; shady areas of south eastern Australia)
  
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*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&ndash;2&nbsp;[[metre|m]] tall, each stem terminating in a large flat umbel which matures into a dense cluster of glossy berries.
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*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 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)
 
** ''[[Sambucus ebulus]]'' ('''European Dwarf Elder'''; central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia; berries black)
  
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==Uses==
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==Gallery==
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[[Image:Elderberries2007-08-12.JPG|thumb|left|Ripening elderberries]]
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<gallery perrow=5>
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Both flowers and berries can be made into [[elderberry wine]], and in [[Hungary]] an elderberry [[brandy]] is produced (requiring 50&nbsp;[[kilogram|kg]] of fruit to produce 1&nbsp;[[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).
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Image:Upload.png| photo 1
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Image:Upload.png| photo 2
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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'.
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
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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://content.herbalgram.org/abc/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].
 
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==Folklore==
 
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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>
 
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==References==
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<references/>
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
  
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==References and external links==
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==External links==
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{{commonscat|Sambucus}}
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*{{wplink}}
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<references/>
 
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*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?10679 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Sambucus'']
 
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*[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-elder.html National Institute of Health - Medline page on ''Sambucus nigra'' L.]
 
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*Vedel, H., & Lange, J. (1960). ''Trees and Bushes in Wood and Hedgerow''. Methuen & Co Ltd.
 
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*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3795690 Elder bush info and recipes] from the [[BBC]] Guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything website.
 
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*[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/e/elder-04.html Grieve, 'A Modern Herbal' (1931)]
 
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*http://hca.heindorffhus.dk -- A Philatelic Celebration of the International Hans Chriatian Andersen Year (2005)
 
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gallery
 
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Image:Sambucus nigra0.jpg|Black Elder (''Sambucus nigra'')
 
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Image:Elderberrybloom0377.JPG|American Elders in flower, [[Pamplico, South Carolina]], [[USA]]
 
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Image:elderflower-detail-pd.jpg|American Elder flowers
 
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Image:Elderberryfruit5081.JPG|Elderberry fruit heads, [[Yauhannah, South Carolina]], [[USA]]
 
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Image:Sambucus racemosa2.jpg|Red-berried Elder (''Sambucus racemosa'')
 
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Image:Elderberries2007-08-12.JPG|Ripe elderberries in August
 
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</gallery>
 
  
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[[Category:Dipsacales]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Fruit]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
 

Latest revision as of 23:33, 10 May 2010


Ripening elderberries


Plant Characteristics
Lifespan: ⌛ perennial
Poisonous: ☠ toxic, except ripe berries
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Adoxaceae >

Sambucus >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!


Sambucus (elder or elderberry) is a genus of between 5 and 30 species of shrubs or small trees in the moschatel family, Adoxaceae. It was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but was reclassified due to genetic evidence. Two of its species are herbaceous.

The genus is native in temperate-to-subtropical regions of both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It is more widespread in the Northern Hemisphere; its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of Australasia and South America.

The leaves are pinnate with 5–9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11). Each leaf is 5 – 30 cm long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-coloured flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).


Read about Elder in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Sambucus (old Latin name for the elder, also spelled Sabucus). Caprifoliaceae. Elder. Ornamental mostly woody plants grown for their handsome foliage, showy clusters of white flowers, and the attractive red or black berries.

Deciduous shrubs or small trees, with stout very pithy branches, rarely perennial herbs: lvs. opposite, odd-pinnate, with serrate lfts., with or without stipules and stipels: fls. small, usually perfect, white, in terminal compound cymes or panicles, usually 5-merous, rarely 3- or 4-merous; calyx-lobes minute; corolla rotate with short tube and oval to oblong-lanceolate lobes; stamens with short filaments; ovary inferior, 3-5-celled; style short, 3-5-lobed: fr. a drupe with 3-5 1-seeded nutlets.—About 20 species in the temperate and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Some species, particularly S. nigra and S. canadensis, possess medicinal properties; the fr. of these species and also that of S. caerulea is used in cookery, also elderberry wine is made from it. The hard wood, the large pithy shoots which are easily hollowed and the pith are put to various uses. Monograph of the genus by Count Schwerin in M.D. 1909, pp. 1-56.

The elders are large and rather coarse shrubs, rarely tree-like, or perennials spreading by suckers, with pinnate foliage and large flat or panicled clusters of white or creamy white small flowers followed by red or black, rarely glaucous or in some varieties green or yellow fruits. They are well adapted for mass planting and are very effective as well in bloom as in fruit in their proper places. They prefer rich and humid soil and most species are hardy North; S. caerulea and its var. neo-mexicana are hardy at least as far north as Massachusetts. Propagation is by seeds which germinate readily and by hardwood and greenwood cuttings, also by root-cuttings; the perennial species and also S. canadensis by suckers.

S. callicarpa, Greene (S. leiosperma, Leiberg. S. racemosa var. callicarpa, Jepson). Allied to S. pubens: shrub to 10 ft.: lfts. oblong to lanceolate, pubescent on the veins beneath while young: infl. broadly pyramidal or hemispherical: nutlets smooth. Alaska to Calif., Japan. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 5. G.F. 10:175. Mn. 2:21 (as S. pubens). —S. chinensis, Lindl.—S. javanica.—S. Ebulus, Linn. Herbaceous, stoloniferous, to 5 ft.: lfts. 5-9, elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, pubescent; stipules large: cymes flat, 3-rayed; fls. white or pinkish, anthers purple, fragrant: fr. black, 1/4 in. across. Eu., Afr., W. Asia. R.F.G. 12:779. S.E.B. 4:638.—S. Fontenaysii, Carr. (S. caerulea X S. nigra). Intermediate between the parents: lvs. bluish green: cymes large: fr. black, bloomy. Garden origin.—S. javanica, Reinw. (S. chinensis, Lindl. S. Thunbergiana, Blume). Suffruticose, to 6 ft.: lfts. 5-7, elliptic-lanceolate, the upper ones sometimes decurrent, long-acuminate, sparingly pubescent while young, to 8 in. long: cymes flat, 5-6 in. across, with scattered large aborted fleshy fls.: fr. ovoid, red. Japan, China to Malay Archipelago.—S. leiosperma, Leiberg- S. callicarpa.—S. melanocarpa. Gray. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 12 ft.: lfts. oblong-lanceolate, pubescent beneath while young, 4-5 in. long: infl. ovate: fr. 1/4 in. thick, black, rarely reddish brown. Brit. Col. to Calif. G.F. 10:135. M.D. 1909:8, fig. 4. I.T. 5:173.—S. mexicana, D.C. (S. canadensis var. mexicana, Sarg.). Tree, to 30 ft.: lvs. 5-9-foliolate, sometimes bipinnate; lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, pubescent on both sides while young, later only below, 2-6 in. long: cymes flat, 6-8 in. across: fr. nearly black, ribbed, 1/4 in. across. W. Texas to S. Calif., Mex. S.S. 5:221. In Mex. planted sometimes near houses as a shade-tree and for its fr. —S. microbotrys, Rydb. Allied to S. pubens. Shrub, to 6 ft., glabrous: lfts. ovate-lanceolate, long-acuminate, to 5 in. long: infl. small, nearly hemispherical, about 2 in. long: fr. scarlet. Calif. to Colo. and Nev.—S. Sieboldiana, Graebn. (S. racemosa var. Sieboldiana, Miq.). Closely related to S. racemosa: lfts. oblong-ovate to lanceolate, smooth, not rugulose above, more finely serrate, to 4 or occasionally to 8 in. long: fls. and frs. smaller. Japan, China. S.I.F.2:74 (as S. racemosa).—S. Simpsonii, Rehd. Allied to S. canadensis. Small tree, to 15 ft., with deeply furrowed bark: lfts. usually 5, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, lustrous above, glabrous, 1 1/2-3 in. long: cymes with 4 or 5 rays, the central ray as long or longer than the lateral rays: ovary 5-celled. Fla. S.T.S. 2:175.—S. Thunbergiana, Blume - S. javanica. The plant cult. under this name is S. racemosa or possibly sometimes S. Sieboldiana.CH


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Cultivation

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Propagation

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Pests and diseases

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Species groups

Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Elderberry cultivation in Austria
  • 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 corymbs, and the berries are black to glaucous blue; they are larger shrubs, reaching 5–8 m tall, occasionally small trees up to 15 m tall and with a stem diameter of up to 30–60 cm.
  • The Blackberry Elder Sambucus melanocarpa of western North America is intermediate between the preceding and next groups. The flowers are in rounded panicles, but the berries are black; it is a small shrub, rarely exceeding 3–4 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 m tall.
  • 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 m high.
  • 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 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)

Gallery

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References

External links


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