Sambucus nigra - Elder
Sambucus nigra - Elder is a large, fast growing native species that is best planted as a woodland shrub. It is often found in hedgerows but it is often too thuggish for this purpose.
Green, pinnate leaves with oval and toothed leaflets.
The flowers are the main attraction with Elder; they are large and flat in a cluster like form, cream in colour and are highly scented. They provide nectar for insects and the base for a quintessentially British cordial!
After the flowers are pollinated by insects each flower develops into a small purplish black berry which ripens from late summer and are eaten by small mammals.