What is the lore of the elder?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

February 3, 2003

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Prior to the advent of Christianity, certain hallowed trees—oak, ash, hazel, and elder (Sambucus nigra Linnaeus) were held in high regard in Northern Europe. The convention of addressing the trees in the feminine, frau or dame, continued through the Middle Ages. Oddly, Linnaeus retained this convention with the botanical names of trees.

killerPlants' Plant of the Week 02/03/2003

Elder (Sambucus nigra Linnaeus subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli)
Elder has long been used both cosmetically and medicinally. The Romans dyed their hair with elderberry juice. (Perhaps the formula was Grecian.) Mrs. Grieve recommended, "Elderflower Water in our great-grandmothers' day was a household word for clearing the complexion of freckles and sunburn and keeping it in good condition. Every lady's toilet table possessed a bottle of the liquid, and she relied on this to keep her skin fair...and free from blemishes...." Elder flowers, placed in a muslin bag and steeped in hot bath water was "a fine aid...in cases of irritability of the skin and nerves". Plant of the Week 02/03/2003

According to Grimm's Teutonic Mythology, "In Lower Saxony the Sambucus nigra is called ellorn, ell-horn. Arnkiel's testimony...is beyond suspicion: 'Thus did our forefathers also hold the ellhorn holy, and if they must need clip the same, they were wont first to say this prayer: "Dame Ellhorn, give me somewhat of thy wood, then will I also give thee of mine, if so be it grow in the forest." And this they were wont to do sometimes with bended knees, bare headed, and folded hands,
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The elder was linked to a dryad, Hyldemoer, mother of the elder tree.
Dryad Lydia Marano Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

as I have ofttimes in my young days both heard and seen.'"

The elder was linked to a dryad, Hyldemoer, mother of the elder tree. It was forbidden to construct a baby-bed of elder. Mrs. Grieve states "when a child was put in a cradle of Elder-wood, Hyldemoer came and pulled it by the legs and would give it no peace till it was lifted out". But amulets for babies were fashioned of elder twigs. The Grimms offered this legend, "Of elder that grows among willows, make charms to hang on children, nine little sticks tied with a red silk thread, so as to lie on the pit of the stomach."

Elder also accompanied the deceased. "In the country parts...when anyone dies, the grave digger silently walks to the elder, and cuts a rod to measure the corpse with; the man (hearse driver) who is to convey it to the grave does the same, and wields this rod as a whip." These rods were not left unattended for "he that has silently carried off an undertaker's measure, and leans it against a house door at night, can rob the people inside without their waking."

Northvegr has placed a translation of the Grimm Brothers' Teutonic Mythology on their site. To read more of the legends and stories, click on the link:

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/grimmst/

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'Black Beauty' Elderberry

Springhill Nursery®

Here’s a new cultivar that has it all…flowers, fruit and fragrance! This dramatically colored Elderberry 'Black Beauty' border shrub remains a deep shade of purple the entire growing season.

Butterflies love the clusters of citrus-scented, pink, star-like blossoms that appear in summer and birds will flock to the equally attractive dark purple berries that follow. Reaches 8-10' tall and wide. U. S. Pat No. 12305

Shipped in 4'' pot. Deer tend to avoid.
Sambucus nigra 'Gerda'
Zone 3 to 8

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Unique Characteristics: This handsome plant is grown for its foliage, flowers and fruit. A new cultivar with foliage that stays an attractive dark purple to near black all season long. Grow as a shrub or cut back at the end of each season and treat it like a perennial. Butterflies are attracted to the clusters of bright pink blooms with a sweet citrus scent. Fruit is bitter when eaten fresh but can be used to make jellies, syrups and wine. If you choose not to use the fruit, the birds will enjoy them!

Additional Information: Developed by Tobutt and Prevette of East Malling Research Station, England. Received the Garden Merit Award from RHS.

'Sutherland Gold' Elderberry

Springhill Nursery®

Clusters of fragrant cream-white, star-shaped flowers decorate the delicate fernlike leaves on the elderberry 'Sutherland Gold' multiple-season performer.

Newly formed growth begins fiery copper red, changes to a golden yellow and remains a soothing lime green for the remainder of the summer. Come fall, clusters of red berries form attracting birds to the garden. Reaches 5–10' high, with an equal spread.

Shipped in 4'' pot. Deer tend to avoid.
Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold'
Zone 3 to 8

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Unique Characteristics: Delicate, finely cut foliage and graceful growing habit make this an ideal feature presentation for your landscape or garden. Enjoy the color show beginning in spring with the emergence of beautiful copper-red new growth that fades to golden yellow then settles into a lime-green for summer. The red fruits appear in late summer but are too tart for humans and the seeds are poisonous. The seeds can be seived out to create a nice sweet but tart jelly. Or leave them to the birds to enjoy.

Additional Information: Received the Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.

York & Nova Elderberry

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Popular for Deep Purple Homemade Wine!

York Elderberry has intensely flavored fruit with a rich aroma. Bountiful harvest ripens in August. Extremely hardy, tall shrub grows to 12-14 ft. No spraying required-both varieties are practically pest-free. Plant two varieties for improved pollination, extended harvest period and top yield.

York-Quickest to bear, often in its second year. Ripens late August.

Nova-Great for pies, jelly and wine. Ripens two weeks before York.

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Comments: York Elderberry has excellent berry size, largest of all. Lovely fall foliage. Bright white flowers in the spring. Highest of all in Vitamin C. Excellent pollinator for other elderberries. Can bear as early as the second year. Last to ripen.

The elderberry has been used for myriad medicinal purposes for millennia. The berries and flowers are used in home-made wines. Dried elderberries and their blossoms are used in tea, which reputedly helps to reduce fever and improve digestion. The fruit is high in vitamin C. The flower-tops possess a mild floral flavor and are often used in pancakes, or dipped in batter & fried. The Joy of Cooking recommends combining the fruit with rhubarb in cooking (it also recommends cooking the flowers with gooseberries).

The American goldfinch, brown thrasher, gray catbird, northern mockingbird, and yellow warbler nest in elderberries (Ortho: 32-33). The berries are eaten by the pileated woodpecker, mockingbird, gray catbird, brown thrasher, American robin, bluebird, thrush, cedar waxwing, northern and orchard orioles, tanager, black-headed and evening grosbeaks. Butterflies visit elderberry flowers for the nectar.

Many of the fruits are native species that grow wild in various parts of the country. They are very adaptable and generally carefree. A few are delicious when eaten fresh; others make excellent desserts and wines.

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