Sambucus Cerulea

...or Western North American Elderberry. Next door to us is this little cul de sac that ends at the edge of the property line to the wooded lot behind us. This is a future access route if it is ever needed. Hanging over the barrier is this tree that flowers and then has blue berries on it that the birds love. I never paid much attention to it, really, until I saw a lady, some years back, out there picking the berries. I asked her about it and she said it was an Elderberry and she liked to use the berries. Okay, whatever. So, I thought of it for a blip, before the birds eat all the berries (the lady has never come back, that I know of) and looked it up on Wikipedia. Boy, did I learn a lot about Elderberry shrub/trees.


The flowers of Sambucus nigra are used to produce elderflower cordial. The French, Austrians and Central Europeans produce elderflower syrup, commonly made from an extract of elderflower blossoms, which is added to pancake (Palatschinken) mixes instead of blueberries. People throughout much of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe use a similar method to make a syrup which is diluted with water and used as a drink. Based on this syrup, Fanta markets a soft drink variety called "Shokata" which is sold in 15 countries worldwide. In the United States, this French elderflower syrup is used to make elderflower marshmallows. St-Germain, a French liqueur, is made from elderflowers. Hallands Fläder, a Swedish akvavit, is flavoured with elderflowers. Wines, cordials and marmalade have been produced from the berries or flowers. In Italy (especially in Piedmont) and Germany, the umbels of the elderberry are batter coated, fried and then served as a dessert or a sweet lunch with a sugar and cinnamon topping. Elderberries are a key ingredient in "purple juice".
Hollowed elderberry twigs have traditionally been used as spiles to tap maple trees for syrup.

The roots, branches, leaves, etc, contain cyanide. Hmmm, good to know.

Black Elderberry juice has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Hmmm, Elderberry wine.

Witches are either A. scared off by the tree as it protects you against them, or B. they will gather under it when it is full of fruit. Hmmmm, also good to know.

And much, much more. All I know is that some years the beautiful Cedar Waxwing birds make an appearance to eat the berries and they are the most elegant of birds. I have been on the look out for them, as the tree is loaded. I guess I should be on the look out for witches, also.