Black Elder, Bourtree, Common Elder, Elderberry, European Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Large shrub or small tree with a crooked stem, 2-7m tall, 3-5m wide. The leaves appear early, followed by white flowers in umbel-like panicles. The round berries are blue-black in colour with an aromatic taste.
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Appearance
Large shrub or small tree with a crooked stem, 2-7m tall, 3-5m wide. The leaves appear early, followed by white flowers in umbel-like panicles. The round berries are blue-black in colour with an aromatic taste.
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Leaves
Odd-pinnate, 10-30cm long, 10-20cm wide. Elliptical leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.
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Leaf upperside
Odd-pinnate, 10-30cm long, 10-20cm wide. Elliptical leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.
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Flowers
Flowering period VI-VII, small wheel-shaped flowers in yellowish-white cymes. Scented.
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Fruits
Pungently aromatic round black berries up to 0.6cm in diameter.
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Bark
Grey-brown bark, with shallow furrows when young, corky when older. Branches are brownish-grey.
Application
Open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, stabilization of shores and hillsides, noise abatement, wind-break, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, parks, urban areas, roadside verges, car parks, gardens, front gardens, verandas
Native regions
Europe, Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Middle East, Balkans, Mediterranean countries, Turkey
Location parameters
Light: full sun to semi-shady, temperature: warm to cool, soil: dry to moist, soil structure: firm to loose, soil depth: shallow to medium, soil quality: medium to high, pH value: 6.0 to 8.5
Demands
Sun to slight shade; frost-hardy; moderately dry to moist; on all substrates; prefers nutrient-rich, loamy soils containing lime; resistant to urban climates, salt-tolerant, wind-resistant
Growth
Height of growth: 5m to 7m, spread: 3m to 5m, rapid growth potential, growth habits: wide, rounded, bushy, pendent
Leaves
Odd-pinnate, 10-30cm long, 10-20cm wide. Elliptical leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.
Flowers
Flowering period VI-VII, small wheel-shaped flowers in yellowish-white cymes. Scented.
Fruits
Pungently aromatic round black berries up to 0.6cm in diameter.
Bark
Grey-brown bark, with shallow furrows when young, corky when older. Branches are brownish-grey.
Roots
Surface-rooting, expansive root system