Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Edible Fruits & Berries | |
---|---|
Blackberry | Dewberry |
Blackthorn / Sloe | Elder |
Burnet Rose | Dog Rose |
Rowan | Sea Buckthorn |
Hawthorn | Bilberry |
Wild Strawberry | Wild Apple |
Other edible plants | |
---|---|
Wild Garlic | Wild Marjoram |
Water Mint |
Fungi | |
---|---|
Parasol Mushroom | Shaggy Ink Cap |
Poisonous Berries | |
---|---|
Guelder Rose | Spindle Tree |
Cotoneaster | Honeysuckle |
Black Bryony | Holly |
Cuckoo Pint | Deadly Nightshade |
Woody Nightshade | Snowberry |
Dogwood | Privet |
Stinking Iris |
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The elder is a very common hedgerow tree, easily identified by its sweet-smelling creamy-white flowers in spring, and clusters of soft black berries in late summer and autumn. The leaves are opposite, and consist of about 5 or 6 leaflets arranged in pairs. When crushed, these smell similar to the berries.
The berries are rich in Vitamin C and much used for wine-making. They can also be made into jams and jellies, but will require the addition of pectin. Alternatively they can be boiled with sugar to make a rob.