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Features

Tree

Leaf

Blossom

Fruit

  Latin name Sambucus nigra
  Family Adoxaceae (moschatel family)
  Distribution Europe, Caucasus, Anatolia, Armenia, Western Siberia
  Height 3 to 7 m
  Age 80 to 100 years
  Roots Shallow lateral roots, densely branched
  Bark Light grey to greyish-brown, longitudinally fissured, often peeling off in elongated, bulging scales.
  Leaves 10 to 30 cm long, opposite, odd-pinnate, with 5 leaflets. Leaflets ovate, pointed at the tip with serrated margins.
  Flowers Small, creamy-white, musk-scented flowers arranged in 10 to 20 cm wide, multi-flowered umbrella-like panicles (also known as corymbs).
  Flowering period May to July
  Fruits Shiny black, 6 mm small, round, juicy stone fruits, also known as elderberries
  Fruiting period August to September
  Alternative names Black elder, common elder, European elder or elderberry

 

Sambucus nigra

The elder is a native, upright, bushy shrub with arching branches belonging to the moschatel family. This warmth-loving plant naturally grows in moist forests, clearings, and hedgerows, often near human settlements.

The elderberry has been used as a food and dye plant since prehistoric times. In antiquity as well as in mediaeval times, its hollow stems were additionally used in the production of flutes and ancient drilling tools.

Elder has also played a significant role in the folklore of various peoples since ancient times. The Germanic and Viking peoples believed that the goddess Freya had chosen the elder bush as her abode. To maintain her protection, elder was frequently planted as a protective shrub near houses and to pay her respect, people used to take off their hats in front of elder bushes.

The German name "Hollerbusch" comes from the Germanic well and spring goddess Holla, also known as Frau Holle from the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

Ecology

The main pollinators of the Black elderberry are honey bees, flies and beetles, which gather in large numbers on the scented flowers. Many native butterfly species feed on the nectar, with the leaves often serving as caterpillar food. The seeds are dispersed by birds and small mammals.

Wood

Elder wood is not suitable for conventional applications due to its small diameter and unfavorable physical properties. It is used in handicrafts as well as in flute and pipe making. Particularly valuable are the rootstocks, which provide attractive burl wood and are therefore highly sought-after for turning purposes.