Sambucus racemosa
| Sambucus racemosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Sambucus racemosa (common name: red elder)
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[1][2][3]. 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[1].
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[1].
Division of suckers in the dormant season.
Cultivation: Tolerates most soils, including chalk[4], but prefers a moist loamy soil[5][4]. 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[6]. Plants self-sow in N. Britain but they rarely fruit well in S. Britain[7][8].
There are some named varieties developed for their ornamental value[8].
The flowers have a sweet smell, free from the fishy undertones found in some other members of the genus[9].
The subspecies S. racemosa kamtschatica. (E.Wolf.)Hult. has larger fruits and seeds[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: Europe to W. Asia. Occasionally naturalized in N. Britain[10].
Habitat: Open woods, edges of beech forests, mainly in mountainous areas[11][12]. Moist rocky terrain of the lower to middle mountain slopes[13].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[14][15]. This species is said to have the tastiest fruit in this genus[13], it is somewhat reminiscent of red currants though the fruit is considerably smaller and contains many seeds[K]. Rich in vitamin C, the seed can be removed and the fruit used in jellies, preserves etc[16]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters, making it easy to harvest[4]. Some caution is advised with one report saying the seeds should be removed before the fruit is eaten[11]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
Flowers - raw or cooked.
Medicinal: Red elder was widely employed medicinally by various native North American Indian tribes, who used it to treat a range of complaints, but especially as an emetic and purgative to cleanse the system. It is little used in modern herbalism.
The leaves, stems and the roots are anodyne, carminative and vulnerary[14][17]. A decoction is used in the treatment traumatic injuries, fractures, rheumatoid arthralgia, gas pains, acute and chronic nephritis[17].
The fruit is depurative and laxative[13][11].
The leaves are diuretic, resolvent and sudorific[13]. They are used externally to soothe abscesses and boils[13].
The root, and the oil from the seed, are emetic and purgative[13][11][15]. An infusion of the root is used to treat stomach pains[15]. The roots can be rubbed on the skin to treat aching and tired muscles[15].
Usage: The leaves are used to repel insects[18].
Wood - commonly used in the manufacture of various domestic items. It can also be hollowed out to make flutes, pipes, straws etc[13][19].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Early Summer-Mid Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: 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[11][20]. The fruit of this species has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might c
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.