Common elder is also known as just Elder but has many other names. It is a small deciduous tree, native to the UK and in much of Europe. You're more likely to see this as a large shrub rather than a small tree. Quite often it is is tucked in hedgerows along roads, industrial estates as well as parks. It's fairly common throughout Exeter and offers white creamy flowers during May and June and black elder berries throughout Autumn. It is this plant that gives us Elder flower cordial, squash,tea, wine and other drinks. Beware that the berries are mildly poisonous so please don't go eating them raw - you'll end up being sick or worse. The berries need to be washed and cooked before being eaten or used for wine, etc. The leaves are also poisonous.
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Leaves of the Common elder
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Trunk and bark of Common elder
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Leaves and flowers of Common elder
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Close up of the leaves of the flowers of Common elder
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Young flowers of Common elder
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Common elder in the rain
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