Elderflower
Driving along the highways during most of June, you may see the most delightful flowering native shrub or small tree. The flowers of native elderflower, Sambucus canadensis, have especially stood out this year, like antique edging on highways, where there are wet areas on the margins of woods. The extra heavy blossoming is likely due to the heavy rains last year and a good amount of moist weather this year.
Elderflower’s clusters of dark purple berries can be gathered in late summer — if you can beat the birds to them. The berries can be made into syrup or jelly that is good for colds and flu. Elder contains compounds that have been found to exhibit strong anti-hepatotoxic activity against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride.
The flowers are prized as much as the berries. They are popular as cordials, teas, jellies, delicate fritters, homemade skincare products and anti-inflammatory medicines. Elderflower has a long traditional use in early stages of coughs, colds and flu. It is also used for chronic sinusitis.
On a recent trip to England, we found elderflower lemonade and elderflower-rose lemonade just about everywhere. A delightful, refreshing drink, they can be found at some specialty markets here.
American or common elderberry is native to a large part of North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It grows as large canes and will fruit in both its first and second year of growth. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes. Elderflowers are in the honeysuckle family. So when you see honeysuckle blooming, you can also find elderflowers in bloom.
The flowers get their fragrance and flavor from the pollen of the tiny flowers in the cluster, so they should be harvested just as they open into their peak time. Pick the flowers in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of noonday sun. If there is a heavy rain, wait a day before harvesting as rain washes away much of the pollen.
The blossoms can be tied in bunches and hung to dry in a warm, airy place or dried in a food dehydrator.
Maria Price-Nowakowski runs Beaver Creek Cottage Gardens, a small native plant nursery in Severn.