Elders are plants of waysides and some of the first to re-colonize disturbed land. In Florida, the large umbels of white flowers are frequently the only flowers present during the months of January and February when there is little other forage for pollen-eating insects--bees, beetles, and flies. The attraction of the insects serves the migratory bird population; robins, mockingbirds, and warblers are often found hunting in shrubs nearby and feasting on the somewhat sluggish insects. The shrubs are excellent plants for attracting birds to the garden.

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".

Mrs. Grieve also offered this advice for colds and bronchitis, "Elderberry Wine has a curative power of established repute as a remedy, taken hot, at night, for promoting perspiration in the early stages of severe catarrh (bronchitis, inflammation of the mucosal lining), accompanied by shivering, sore throat, etc. Like Elderflower Tea, it is one of the best preventatives known against the advance of influenza and the ill effects of a chill. A little cinnamon may be added. It has also a reputation as an excellent remedy for asthma." (A Modern Herbal, Mrs. Grieve, 1931, reprinted 1996)

The juice from elderberries is a pH indicator. In the presence of an alkali (pH greater than 7), the juice turns green, but in the presence of an acid (pH less than 7), the juice becomes red.