Sambucus nigra aka Common Elder

Sambucus nigra, also known as elder, elderberry, black elder, European elder, and European black elderberry, is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. Native to most of Europe and North America, this compact, deciduous shrub has a narrower growing habit than most cultivars. It features divided, pinnate leaves that flush yellow from spring to autumn. In the summer, frothy panicles of tiny, scented, white flowers bloom, followed by round, glossy, black fruit. This plant is versatile and can grow in a variety of conditions, including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations. It is commonly found in hedgerows and scrubland in Britain and northern Europe, but it is also widely grown as an ornamental shrub or small tree. The flowers and berries of Sambucus nigra have a long tradition of culinary use, particularly for cordial and wine production. The berries are known for their deeply dark color, which is where the Latin specific epithet "nigra" comes from. Elderberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 6 meters (20 feet) tall and wide. The bark starts off light grey when young but changes to a coarse grey outer bark with lengthwise furrowing. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are pinnate, with five to seven (rarely nine) leaflets. The leaflets have a serrated margin and are around 5-12 cm long and 3-5 cm broad. The young stems of the plant are hollow. The hermaphroditic flowers of Sambucus nigra have five stamens and are borne in large, flat corymbs that can reach diameters of 10-25 cm. They bloom from late spring to mid-summer and are ivory white in color. The flowers are pollinated by flies. In late autumn, the plant produces glossy, dark purple to black berries that are around 3-5 mm in diameter. These berries are an important food source for many fruit-eating birds, such as blackcaps. While Sambucus nigra is commonly used in culinary preparations, dietary supplements, and traditional medicine, there is no scientific evidence to support its health benefits or its effectiveness in treating diseases. If you wish to remove Sambucus nigra from your garden, there are several methods you can employ. You can cut new canes below the ground as they come up in spring, making sure to sever the spreading rhizomes. Another option is to scar the stems and spray the plant with herbicide that contains glyphosate, 2,4-D, dicamba, or a combination of these chemicals. It is important to read labels and ensure that the herbicide you choose is suitable for use on elderberry. Alternatively, you can cut thick shrub stalks a few inches above the ground and dip a sponge-tip paint brush in a herbicide containing Imazapyr, painting the wounds. Waiting several weeks after all the plants have died is crucial before digging out the crowns and rhizomes. Additionally, you can cut new sprouts below the surface, scar and spray, or sever and paint until no new shoots sprout. Solarization is another method, which involves spreading black plastic beyond the cleared area to outdistance any creeping rhizomes and leaving it to kill remaining shoots with heat and lack of sunlight.