strange elder ?

ThePainter · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 06:40 AM

Hi,

I found this strange Elder tree near to where I live, it is amongst many other normal elders, it seems normal apart from the leaves, they sort of feathered like those of Wild Parsley !

Not a very clear photo but you can just see the leaves.

Anyone have any ideas what it might be ?

Andy Warne · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 08:28 AM

I believe there is a Cut-leaved Elder, think it is a cultivated variety. Might be one of those.

Tiggrx · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 08:28 AM

Can't see the leaves in your picture too well - but try looking up Parsley-leaved Elder (Sambucus nigra var. laciniata)

ThePainter · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 10:09 AM

Hi,
I looked up the cut leaved and it isnt that one but I looked up yours Tiggrx and thats the one.
Strange how its the only one like it here, the car park is surrounded with elder and all the others are the common species.

Thanks, thats put my mind at rest.

steve_nova · #5 (**permalink**) 18-10-2006, 07:31 PM

There is a large berried form of Elder in Jesmond Dene that I want to take a couple of hardwood cuttings of. Might make a good wine maker!!!

Steve.

ThePainter · #6 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 07:39 AM

Hi,
Can you give me some detail of where abouts it is ?
The one I found is in the car park at the riverside at Newburn behind the Keelman inn, its to the left of the visitor centre (while facing it) its the bush on the end of the hedgerow.

I read somewhere recently that Elderberries are actually poisonous if not cooked !
Anyone know about this, I know they can give you a belly ache if you eat too many but I thought that was just gluttony not poison !

Earth Hart · #7 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePainter

Hi,
Can you give me some detail of where abouts it is ?
The one I found is in the car park at the riverside at Newburn behind the Keelman inn, its to the left of the visitor centre (while facing it) its the bush on the end of the hedgerow.

I read somewhere recently that Elderberries are actually poisonous if not cooked !
Anyone know about this, I know they can give you a belly ache if you eat too many but I thought that was just gluttony not poison !

They may be a bit tart but I'm still alive & have never had gut ache, poisonous, no.

Paul mabbott · #8 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 07:51 AM

You would have to eat enormous numbers of berries to have any toxic effects although other parts of the tree are poisonous. Other species of Sambucus e.g. S. ebulus are poisonous (this is a low-growing herb and not at all common).
The business about uncooked berries applies to guelder and possibly some other fruits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePainter

I read somewhere recently that Elderberries are actually poisonous if not cooked ! Anyone know about this, I know they can give you a belly ache if you eat too many but I thought that was just gluttony not poison !

Uncle_Filthster · #9 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 05:14 PM

There is a lot of that ornamental elder around the car parks in the country park at Newburn. It is fine to eat, as Tiggrx has said its just a variety of the native species. There are some better tasting ones in other areas of the park though.

Paul mabbott · #10 (**permalink**) 19-10-2006, 06:31 PM

Different forms of toxicity - I'm not sure that I'd want to eat anything growing in or near a car park (or road). Fruit on roads always used to be covered in lead, now undoubtedly coated with other pollutants ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle_Filthster

There is a lot of that ornamental elder around the car parks in the country park at Newburn. It is fine to eat,...........