Sambucus racemosa kamtschatica
Red Elder
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Sambucus genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Sambucus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- 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.
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some, if not all, members of this genus are poisonous[19][17]. 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[15][17]. The seed is said to be poisonous[10].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[3]. The tastiest fruit in this genus[16]. Rich in vitamin C, the seed can be removed and the fruit used in jellies, preserves etc[7]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters, making it easy to harvest[9]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked.
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Fruit
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.
The leaves, stems and the roots are anodyne, carminative and vulnerary[3][4]. A decoction is used in the treatment traumatic injuries, fractures, rheumatoid arthralgia, gas pains, acute and chronic nephritis[4]. The fruit is depurative and laxative[16][19]. The leaves are diuretic, resolvent and sudorific[16]. They are used externally to soothe abscesses and boils[16]. The root, and the oil from the seed, are purgative[16][19].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Resolvent
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used to repel insects[14]. Wood - commonly used in the manufacture of domestic items. It can be hollowed out to make flutes, pipes, straws etc[16][21].
- Product or use
- Repellent
- Product or use
- Straw
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- Europe to W. Asia. Occasionally naturalized in N. Britain[5].
- Habitat
- Woods, mainly in mountains[13].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- 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][20][2]. 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]. Division of suckers in the dormant season.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Tolerates most soils, including chalk[9], but prefers a moist loamy soil[1][9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position. Prefers cool moist conditions. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. Hardy to about -25°c[8]. Plants self-sow in N. Britain but they rarely fruit well in S. Britain[12][6]. There are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value[6]. The flowers have a sweet smell, free from the fishy undertones found in some other members of the genus[11]. This subspecies has larger fruits and seeds than the type[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7