Sambucus nigra

Colour: White flowers and black berries

Adult Size: Roughly 4 meters, up to 15 meters

Lifespan: Up to roughly 60 years

Where: Native to Europe, mainly in hedgerows and woodlands

Description

Height and Leaf Structure

While they can be found in small shrubs of about 30 centimetres as pictured, they are often found towering at a height of roughly 4 meters and can even grow to a gargantuan height of 10 meters. Talk about an impressive height variety. Another interesting fact about them is their unique compound leaf structure, where the leaf blade is all divided up. 

Fragrance and Berries

They also pack quite a punch in terms of fragrance, which, in combination with the white of cream flowers are irresistible to all kinds of pollinators, and they are certainly effective at drawing our attention too when going for a long walk in the park. Should berries be present, they will be a dark colour like rich purples or black. Imagine a branch with those dark, tempting berries, and small animals like squirrels and birds who happened to stumble upon them happily munching away. You can’t help but smile. 

Sensitivity and Uses

Highly windy areas are too much for these plants to handle due to their flexibility, the stem prone to bending.  Elders must also be well looked after with the removal of overgrown branches of stems to ensure good berry production. Both the flowers and berries have many uses including culinary and medicinal. Elderflowers can be turned into various drinks like tea or foods like fritters, while the berries can be used to prepare jam, wine and more. Some examples of medical usage of these plants are their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They are one of nature’s many treasures, filled with goodies for tasty treats, health remedies and more.

Habitat

They are a complex of plants that are native to Europe, as well as parts of Asia and Africa, in areas where a calm breeze can be felt as opposed to a gusty gale. As a result of this, woodlands, hedges, and the like make for perfect habitats for them, like Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, where the tall trees act like bouncers at a club, keeping out any unwanted winds, along with moist and well-drained soil. They are quite common and can even be found on an average walk to the bus station.

Lifecycle

The lifecycle of the Elder is like a captivating narrative, it’s simple but important. The first stage is germination, where a seed from a grown elderberry will fall and be carried away by the wind, to find just the right place to sprout into a fledgeling plant. Then through various stages of growth, it will grow from a seedling into a plant with a stronger stem, roots, and leaves as it matures. This is when the magic can begin, and the elder can take the stage for its grand performance. Flowers will start to bloom in an exciting floral display, in clusters known as umbels. This attracts pollinators such as bees which can then pollinate the plant, setting the stage for the production of the elderberries, and attracting a brand-new audience. Now the birds can assist the plant to ensure the smooth sailing of the show, as they become seed dispersal agents, and transport the berries to various other locations for the story to begin again.