Elder

Sambucus nigra A deciduous shrub or small tree common throughout the British Isles excepting northern Scotland, it occurs in woods, scrub, roadsides and waste places. The elder flowers in June and July and bears fruit in August and September.

The flower clusters should be cut whole from the tree with about 2.5 cm (1 in) of stem attached. Check the clusters for insects and discard any that are badly infested. However, do not wash the flowers as this will remove much of the fragrance. Pick the flowers in the last weeks of June or the first days of July. The word ‘elder’ is derived from the Anglo-Saxon aeld, meaning fire, because the hollow branches were used to blow up the flames of fires. The generic name, Sambucus, is used by Pliny and is derived from the Greek sambuca, referring to the Roman musical instrument.