Elder

Sambucus nigra

Origin: native

Type: deciduous

Height: up to 15m high­

Winter buds: the buds are brown to purple wrinkled young leaves. In opposite pairs.

Leaves: compound, opposite and usually have about 2-4 pairs of toothed leaflets There is a single leaflet at the end of the leaf.

Flowers: male and female white flowers, 3-5 petals, about 5 mm across, arranged in flat topped clusters about 25 cm across.

Fruit: black berry like fruit arranged in clusters.

Distribution: widespread, found in hedgerows and woodlands, scrub, wasteland.

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