Schwarzer Holunder

Industrial Crop: Dye Industrial Crop: Medicinal Management: Standard Minor Global Crop Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Pollard, Standard, Seashore, Specimen. A very easily grown plant, it tolerates most soils and situations, growing well on chalk, but prefers a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but fruits better in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. Another report says that it is intolerant of very smoky atmospheres. The elder is very occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties though most of these have been developed for their ornamental value. The sub-species S. nigra alba has white/green fruits that are nicer than the type species and are quite nice raw[K]. The elder also has a very long history of folk use, both medicinally and for a wide range of other uses. All in all it is a very valuable plant to have in the garden. The leaves often begin to open as early as January and are fully open in April. The leaves fall in October/November in exposed sites, later in sheltered positions. Young stems can be killed by late frosts but they are soon replaced from the ground level. Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back to ground level and will regrow from the base. The flowers have a sweet, almost overpowering smell, not exactly pleasant when inhaled near to for it has fishy undertones, but from a distance its musky scent is appealing. Very resistant to the predations of rabbits. The flowers are very attractive to insects. The fruit is very attractive to birds and this can draw them away from other cultivated fruits. The elder is an early colonizer of derelict land, the seed arriving in the defecations of birds and mammals. It is a very good pioneer species for re-establishing woodlands. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [2-1]. Elderberries are usually harvested in late summer to early autumn, around August to September (Northern Hemisphere), when the berries are fully ripe. Elderberry typically flowers in late spring to early summer, around May to June (Northern Hemisphere), producing clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers. Elderberry is a fast-growing shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet) in a few years under optimal conditions. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can thrive in a variety of environments, including disturbed areas. Sambucus nigra, also known as the European black elderberry, is self-fertile. However, cross-pollination can increase fruit production.

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Edible Uses: Colouring Tea Fruit - raw or cooked. The flavour of the raw fruit is not acceptable to many tastes, though when cooked it makes delicious jams, preserves, pies and so forth[K]. It can be used fresh or dried, the dried fruit being less bitter. The fruit is used to add flavour and colour to preserves, jams, pies, sauces, chutneys etc, it is also often used to make wine. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked. They can also be dried for later use. The flowers are crisp and somewhat juicy, they have an aromatic smell and flavour and are delicious raw as a refreshing snack on a summers day, though look out for the insects[K]. The flowers are used to add a muscatel flavour to stewed fruits, jellies and jams (especially gooseberry jam). They are often used to make a sparkling wine. A sweet tea is made from the dried flowers. The leaves are used to impart a green colouring to oils and fats.

Compost Cosmetic Dye Fungicide Hedge Hedge Insecticide Litmus Microscope Musical Pioneer Pipes Repellent Wood Agroforestry uses: Elderberry is beneficial in agroforestry for attracting pollinators and wildlife. It can be used as a hedge or windbreak and is often planted in riparian zones for erosion control. The flowers and berries are edible (with the proper preparation) and have culinary and medicinal uses. The plant is a valuable addition to the compost heap, its flowers are an alternative ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator and the roots of the plant improve fermentation of the compost heap when growing nearby. The leaves are used as an insect repellent, very effective when rubbed on the skin though they do impart their own unique fragrance[K]. They can be powdered and placed amongst plants to act as a deterrent, or made into a spray when they act as an insecticide. This is prepared by boiling 3 - 4 handfuls of leaves in a litre of water, then straining and allowing to cool before applying. Effective against many insects, it also treats various fungal infections such as leaf rot and powdery mildew.The dried flowering shoots are used to repel insects, rodents etc. The flowers are used in skin lotions, oils and ointments. Tolerant of salt-laden gales, this species can be grown as a shelter hedge in exposed maritime areas, it is rather bare in the winter though[K]. This is an excellent pioneer species to use when re-establishing woodlands. It is very tough and wind-resistant, grows quickly and provides shelter for longer-lived and taller woodland species to establish. It will generally maintain itself in the developing woodland, though usually in the sunnier positions[K]. A dye is obtained from the fruit and the bark. The bark of older branches and the root have been used as an ingredient in dyeing black. A green dye is obtained from the leaves when alum is used as a mordant. The berries yield various shades of blue and purple dyes. They have also been used as a hair dye, turning the hair black. The blue colouring matter from the fruit can be used as a litmus to test if something is acid or alkaline. It turns green in an alkaline solution and red in an acid solution. The pith in the stems of young branches pushes out easily and the hollow stems thus made have been used as pipes for blowing air into a fire. They can also be made into musical instruments. The pith of the wood is used for making microscope slides and also for treating burns and scalds. The mature wood is white and fine-grained. It is easily cut and polishes well. Valued highly by carpenters, it has many used, for making skewers, mathematical instruments, toys etc. A good forage for animals: mule deer, elk, sheep and small birds. It is classified as nesting habitat for many birds, including hummingbirds, warblers, and vireos. Elderberries are a favorite food for migrating band-tailed pigeons in northern California. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Elderberry flowers are highly attractive to pollinators like bees and other insects due to their abundant nectar and pollen. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The berries are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals. The dense foliage and branching structure provide excellent cover and shelter for wildlife, and birds may nest within the shrub. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The dense, shrubby growth provides overwintering habitat for insects. Leaf litter from elderberry can also provide ground cover for invertebrates. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Elderberry does not produce a strong scent that would confuse or repel pests.

Heimisch: Albania, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Dalsfjord, Denmark, Drammen, Drangedal, Dypvåg, East European Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Halsa, Hidra, Hildra, Holumn, Hungary, Høyland, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Kvinneherad, Lebanon-Syria, Lindås, Lista, NW. Balkan Pen., Netherlands, Norddal, North Caucasus, Northwest European Russia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Røyken, Sardegna, Sicilia, Skåtøy, Solum, South European Russia, Spain, Spind, Syvde, Ullensvang, Vannylven, Vestnes, Vevring, Veøy, Vikedal, Øre Eingeführt: Algeria, Argentina South, Bangladesh, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Chatham Is., Chile Central, Chile South, Connecticut, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Falkland Is., Finland, Galápagos Islands, Kriti, Madeira, Mexico Central, Morocco, New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Norway, Ontario, Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Queensland, South Australia, Sweden