Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea

Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves[2, 3, 15, 85, 94, 183, 257]. Rather sweet and juicy but full of small seeds[82, 256], this is the best flavoured of the North American elders[212]. The fruit is rather nice raw, seven people ate and enjoyed a small quantity of the raw fruit with no ill effects[K]. The fruit can be dried for later use[257]. A somewhat rank taste fresh[101], the fruit is usually dried before being used[183]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters[200]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked in fritters etc[15, 85, 94, 183]. Very pleasant and refreshing raw[K]. A pleasant tea is made from the dried flowers[62, 183].

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Analgesic  Antiseptic  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Emetic  Febrifuge  Haemostatic  Laxative  
Pectoral  Salve  Stomachic  Tonic

Haemostatic[94]. An infusion or extract made from the flowers, bark and root has been used to cure fevers and gripe, it is also laxative[226]. A decoction of the plant has been used as an antiseptic wash to treat itches[257]. The bark is analgesic and astringent[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and rheumatism[257]. A decoction has been used as a wash in the treatment of swellings and pain[257]. An ointment made by mixing the bark with fat has been used externally in the treatment of burns, ulcers, skin irritations etc[226]. The fresh bark has been placed in a tooth cavity to ease the pain of toothache[257]. The inner bark is strongly emetic[257]. The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, febrifuge and purgative[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of new colds[257]. An infusion of the leaves and flowers has been used as a steam bath in the treatment of colds and headaches[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as an antiseptic wash on limbs affected by blood poisoning[257]. The crushed leaves have been used as a poultice to treat burns and swollen hands[257]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of bladder problems and dyspepsia[257]. A decoction of the flowers has been used in the treatment of stomach troubles and lung complaints[257]. Applied externally, it has been used to treat sprains and bruises and as an antiseptic wash for open sores and itches[257]. A wine made from the fruit has been used as a tonic[257].

Musical  Repellent  Tinder  Wood

A decoction of the leaves, when watered on plants, repels caterpillars[94]. The dried flower stems repel insects and rodents[101]. The hollow stems can be used as flutes and pipes[257]. The pith of the stems has been used as a tinder for lighting fires[257]. Wood - light, soft, weak, coarse grained. Of no commercial value, though it is used locally for flutes, skewers, pegs, straws etc[82, 94, 99, 229].

Special Uses