Elder
Sambucus nigra
Elder, Sambucus nigra
by Anna Corbett
Some people consider the elder little more than a weed, disliking its smelly flowers and the purple blotches that stain paths or washing as a result of birds devouring the berries. The elder tree is due a place in the herb garden, however, due to its many uses and associations: medicinal, magical, practical and fantastical.
Origins and description
The name elder is thought to come from the Anglo Saxon word aeld, meaning fire, possibly because of the use made of the hollowed out stems for blowing up a fire, the soft pith being very easily removed, (something that makes them excellent pea-shooters too). Regional names include eldern, eller, and ellet, all linked to the old English ellaern. Pipe tree, or bour tree in Scotland, (where bour means pipe) have also been used.
A native to Europe, western Asia and north Africa it is a deciduous, sprawling shrub rather than a 'proper' tree. It can reach a height of 7 to 10 metres if un-pruned, but it also grows well as a hedgerow plant, or as a multi-stemmed bush. It is relatively short lived, and old, neglected ones are best replaced. The elder flowers from late May to early July, the berries ripening in September-October. As the season progresses, the frothy white flower heads slowly change from facing the sky to hanging down, weighted by shiny, black berries. According to tradition, this journey will mirror the passage of the English summer, which arrives with the blossom, and departs as the berries ripen.
Purple-leaved elder
Elder is highly tolerant of pollution, quick to regrow after cutting back and thrives in hedges and on waste ground throughout the land. Highly attractive cultivated types have also been developed, used as ornamental plants in gardens to good effect. The purple-leaved, S. nigra 'Guincho Purple' is one example.
Cultivation
Grow elder from softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn. To grow from seed, collect ripe berries and sow them 2cm deep in a pot, then leave outside over winter. Cultivated varieties will normally need to be grown from cuttings. Although elder will grow virtually anywhere, a sunny position with a moist, fertile soil will give good results. Allow new plants to grow undisturbed for their first season, then regular, hard pruning will enhance foliage production. If grown as a multi-stemmed shrub, prune in winter when the plants are dormant.
In the first year cut about 50% of the stems right back to ground level, and reduce the other 50% by about half. Thereafter, shorten 1 year old wood by half and older stems back to the ground. Elder can also be cut back hard every year, in the same way as buddleja. If you want maximum flower and fruit production, however, prune lightly, if at all. Elder suffers from few problems, although is prone to an aphid named in its honour, Aphis sambuci. It is also vulnerable to virus attack, which induces crinkling and rolling of the leaves, as well as yellowing and banding.
Related types
Highly decorative, cut-leaf types have been developed, as well as golden and purple leaved ones. All produce fruit attractive to birds, although the best herbal properties are obtained from the species.
- S. racemosa has red berries following dense oval clusters of flowers, and more pointy, yellow-green leaves. It is found growing wild mainly in Scotland, although it is not indigenous.
- S. racemosa 'Sutherland Gold' - deeply divided yellow leaves, yellow flowers, red berries.
- S. nigra 'Pulverulenta' - green/white variegated leaves.
- S. nigra f. laciniata - deeply divided purple leaves, pinky white flowers.
Medicinal and culinary uses
Some of the more ways elder has been used in the past are no longer common. Mixing the berries with the flesh of snails and salt, hanging in a bag and then collecting the 'glutinous liquor' that drips out is one example. Elder flowers and fruit are still used by herbalists today, however, and also make good food and drink. The flowers induce sweating and are excellent as a prevention and cure for colds, flu and hay fever. Mixed with equal parts of yarrow and peppermint as a tea, they make a classic winter cold remedy. With a delicate scent, the flowers also make cordial and wine, combine well with gooseberries in pies, jams or ice cream. An infusion or lotion of the flowers was used as a skin tonic and for removing freckles, as well as for soothing sore eyes or burns. The berries are rich in vitamins A and C, and used for making wines, syrups, jams and chutneys as well as a medicine for chest infections. Leaves are used to make a soothing ointment for the skin.
Elderflower pancakes
Collect heads of elderflowers where all, or most, of the flowers are open. The flowers open from the outside of the head inwards, so need careful observation to catch them at precisely the right moment. Shake the heads gently to dislodge any insects, but do not wash. Leave the stalks attached for now. Make a fairly thick pancake batter and leave to rest for 30 minutes. Dip the heads in the mixture and transfer quickly to a hot frying pan. Have a pair of kitchen scissors handy, and snip the stems off, as close to the pan as possible, while the pancake is cooking. Turn over and finish off the other side for a minute or so. Serve sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar or honey.
Other uses
Roots, bark, berries, leaves and flowers - all have their uses and stories to tell. Such a powerful tree has many superstitions associated with it too: it is unwise to cut down or burn the wood without asking permission of the Hylde-Moer or elder mother who lives within. Do not be tempted to make a cradle from the timber or the baby it rocks will have its toes pulled by the elder mother and will be fractious and sickly; alternatively the fairies may steal it. Don't use the timber for boat building either, although the dense, fine heartwood of old trees was formerly used to make combs, mathematical and musical instruments, shoemaker's pegs and skewers. A recipe to rid yourself of sorrows also involves the elder. Cut a stick (after asking permission of the Hylde-Moer, of course), tell your troubles to it, then bury it; the theory is that your sorrows will remain buried too.
Besides its magical uses, elder has had many practical ones too. Gardeners used to make a brew from elder leaves to protect plants from aphids and other pests. Bark of older branches and roots were used in Scotland to produce a black dye and other parts of the tree were also used for dying. The leaves mixed with alum as a mordant give green dye; the berries various shades of blue or purple depending on the mordant. The Romans apparently made use of the colourful berries as a hair dye.
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