SAMBUCUS L. - ELDER
Scientific Description:
Herbs or shrubs with large pith. Leaves imparipinnate, opposite; stipules present or absent. Flowers in compound many-flowered umbellate or paniculate cymes, usually 5-merous; corolla regular, rotate; ovary 3−5-celled; stigmas 3−5. Fruit a drupe.
Reference:
Chamberlain DF (1972). Sambucus L.,In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 4: 542.
Public Description:
Sambucus is a genus of deciduous shrubs, small trees and herbaceous perennial plants known as “elder” or “elderberry” and widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of Australasia and South America. There are approximately 22 species in the world and 2 species (2 taxa) in Türkiye. In Germany, yoghurt desserts are made with both the berries and the flowers. Wines, cordials and marmalade have been produced from the berries or flowers. Black elderberry has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Some preliminary studies demonstrate that elderberry may have a measurable effect in treating the flu, alleviating allergies, and boosting overall respiratory health. Elder is used in traditional Chinese medicine, dissolved in wine, for rheumatism and traumatic injuries.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2015). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus, Accessed date: 29.12.2015.
Anonymous 2 (2015). http://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Sambucus, Accessed date: 29.12.2015.
Akson N (2012). Sambucus L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 19.
