Sambacus the elder

摘要

Elder trees display curious characteristics including a zigzag pattern of stem leader growth, hollow pithy stems and winter buds that never really rest. This sets elder apart from other trees although peculiarities are tempered by established medicinal properties in leaves, flowers, roots, bark and berries. Common elder is a highly adaptable small tree spread throughout the British Isles and distinctive in summer by compound pinnate leaves shared with just a handful of other natives including commonash and rowan. Elder is a member of the Caprifoliaceae -the honeysuckle family.