Practical
Plants

Sambucus caerulea

Blue Elder

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Sambucus genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves, green fruits and stems of some (if not all) members of this genus are poisonous[21][17][10]. 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[16][17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw, cooked or used in preserves[7][14][5][20][22][6][13]. Rather sweet and juicy but full of small seeds[19][12], this is the best flavoured of the North American elders[9]. 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[13]. A somewhat rank taste fresh[2], the fruit is usually dried before being used[6]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters[8]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked in fritters etc[5][20][22][6]. Very pleasant and refreshing raw[K]. A pleasant tea is made from the dried flowers[15][6].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Haemostatic[22]. An infusion or extract made from the flowers, bark and root has been used to cure fevers and gripe, it is also laxative[10]. A decoction of the plant has been used as an antiseptic wash to treat itches[13]. The bark is analgesic and astringent[13]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and rheumatism[13]. A decoction has been used as a wash in the treatment of swellings and pain[13]. An ointment made by mixing the bark with fat has been used externally in the treatment of burns, ulcers, skin irritations etc[10]. The fresh bark has been placed in a tooth cavity to ease the pain of toothache[13]. The inner bark is strongly emetic[13]. The leaves are analgesic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, febrifuge and purgative[13]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of new colds[13]. An infusion of the leaves and flowers has been used as a steam bath in the treatment of colds and headaches[13]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as an antiseptic wash on limbs affected by blood poisoning[13]. The crushed leaves have been used as a poultice to treat burns and swollen hands[13]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of bladder problems and dyspepsia[13]. A decoction of the flowers has been used in the treatment of stomach troubles and lung complaints[13]. Applied externally, it has been used to treat sprains and bruises and as an antiseptic wash for open sores and itches[13]. A wine made from the fruit has been used as a tonic[13].

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

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the leaves, when watered on plants, repels caterpillars[22]. The dried flower stems repel insects and rodents[2]. The hollow stems can be used as flutes and pipes[13]. The pith of the stems has been used as a tinder for lighting fires[13]. Wood - light, soft, weak, coarse grained. Of no commercial value, though it is used locally for flutes, skewers, pegs, straws etc[19][22][24][11].

Product or use
Musical
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Tinder
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana, Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
Gravelly, rather dry soils on stream banks, margins of fields, woodlands etc[15][19].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[18][23][4]. 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[18]. 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[18].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tolerates most soils, including chalk[8], but prefers a moist loamy soil[3][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[8]. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild[11]. 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[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  10. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2

  12. Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7748-0533-1

    ↩

  13. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13↩14↩15↩16↩17↩18↩19

  14. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  15. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩1↩2

  16. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  17. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩1↩2

  18. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2

  21. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

  22. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  23. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

  24. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

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