Elder
Given Names: Sambucus canadensis (North American native) and Sambucus nigra (European native)- almost identical in appearance and qualities
Nicknames: pipe tree, bour tree
I see you looking at me. I know you think I'm beautiful. I know that you wonder what you can do with me. While let me reassure you- I am certainly “the whole package”: decorative, medicinal and edible.
The large cloud-like clusters of lacy white flowers that elegantly dot my foliage after summer solstice can be made into tea or tincture traditionally used to treat a fever or the flu. And don't let those deep purple berries that drip from my branches in the fall tempt you too much. Although they are not poison, the seeds if eaten raw, can induce vomiting. So before devouring my abundance, take the time to cook my berries into delicious jams or pies.
But I'm more than just the sum of my parts. I have a maturity that comes with knowing my value. I know that people need me and that's not going to change.
Don't look so shocked! Did you think that you were the first person to notice me? How silly. My relationship with humans goes waaaaay back. Large numbers of my seeds have been found at prehistoric archaeological sites indicating that my berries were eaten in the Magdalenian Era (9000- 17000 years ago).
And that was just the beginning. Through pre-Roman times, with the ancient Britons and Celts, and then during Roman times my relationship with humans continued to thrive. These cultures used all my parts to make medicine. But even though those relationships were purely physical, people have also been attracted to my energy! In England, I was planted near cottages for protection from lightning and witches, in Russia the peasants believed that I warded off bad spirits and the Serbs carried a piece of me at weddings for good luck.
I'm even attractive to other creatures. My flowers are a plentiful source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects and my berries are food for birds.
But please don't be jealous! I have enough bounty and beauty for everyone. Just plant me and, since I grow quickly and easily, very soon our relationship will blossom (along with my flowers).
Love,
Alluring Elder
Resources:
Crawford, M. (2010). Creating a Forest Garden: Working with nature to grow edible crops. Cambridge: Green Books Ltd., pp 126. 185.
Jacke, D., Toensmeier, E. (2005). Edible Forest Gardens: Volume Two. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, pp 488-9.
Kruger, A. (1992). Canadian Nature Guides: Herbs. New York: Smithmark Publishers Inc., pp 67.
Michael, P. (1986). A Country Harvest. London: Peerage Books, pp 173- 82.
de la Forest, R. (2017). Alchemy of Herbs: Transform everyday ingredients into foods and remedies that heal. Carlsbad: Hay House, Inc., pp 201-9.
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