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Photo: G. Bradley |
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UK
Safari Tip:
To help you identify different trees get the colourful fold out chart
called "Tree Name Trail" - click
here
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Latin name: Sambucus nigra
Size: Can grow to 10m.
Distribution: Common. Found throughout the UK.
Flowering months: May to July.
Habitat: Will grow just about anywhere except on sandy soils. Often
found in roadsides, hedgerows, woodlands, waste ground, railway sidings.
Special features: Elder trees produce long straight shoots which quickly harden into vertically ridged, cork-like, barked stems. The stems are often arched over and at the centre of the
young stems is a soft white pith. The leaves,
which are poisonous, are made up of 5-7 toothed edge leaflets. The cream coloured flowers grow together in parasol shaped clusters and give off a strong
scent.
 They soon produce green berries which darken to form the familiar black elderberries. They are sometimes known as
'Englishmans grapes', on account of their popularity with winemakers. The berries are poisonous when raw.
A lot of folklore and superstition surrounds the Elder tree. The branches are used to make magic wands for Wicca rituals,
and it was believed
that planting an elder tree near the house protected the occupants from evil
witches.
UK Safari Tree Section
UK Safari Plants + Trees Section
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