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{{Taxobox

{{Taxobox

| color = lightgreen

| color = lightgreen

| image_caption = Black Elder (''[[Sambucus nigra]]'')

| image_caption = Black Elder (''[[Sambucus nigra]]'')

| regnum = [[Plant]]ae

| regnum = [[Plant]]ae

| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]

| phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]

| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]

| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]

| ordo = [[Dipsacales]]

| ordo = [[Dipsacales]]

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 [[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".

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.  

[[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==

==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]].

*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 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)

==Uses==

==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).

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).

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'.

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].

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].

==Folklore==

==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>

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>

 

==References and external links==

==References and external links==

*[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.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)]

*[http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/e/elder-04.html Grieve, 'A Modern Herbal' (1931)]

 

<gallery>

gallery

Image:Sambucus nigra0.jpg|Black Elder (''Sambucus nigra'')

Image:Sambucus nigra0.jpg|Black Elder (''Sambucus nigra'')

Image:Elderberrybloom0377.JPG|American Elders in flower, [[Pamplico, South Carolina]], [[USA]]

Image:Elderberrybloom0377.JPG|American Elders in flower, [[Pamplico, South Carolina]], [[USA]]