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Sambucus caerulea - Raf.

Common Name Blue Elder
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The leaves, green fruits and stems of some (if not all) members of this genus are poisonous[9, 76, 226]. The fruit of this species has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked[65, 76].
Habitats Gravelly, rather dry soils on stream banks, margins of fields, woodlands etc[62, 82].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana, Texas and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sambucus caerulea Blue Elder


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Sambucus caerulea Blue Elder
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Sambucus caerulea is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. glauca. S. neomexicana.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

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].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

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

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soils, including chalk[200], but prefers a moist loamy soil[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[200]. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild[229]. A shrub at Kew in September 1993 was carrying a good crop of tasty fruits[K]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first[78, 98, 113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth 15 - 20cm with a heel, late autumn in a frame or a sheltered outdoor bed[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Sambucus wightianaElderPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Sambucus williamsii Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM121

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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