Жеміс ағашы – қара қарамсақ (Жеміс ағашы – қара қарамсақ)

Genus of flowering plants

Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The various species are commonly referred to as elder, elderflower or elderberry.

The oppositely arranged leaves are pinnate with 5–9 leaflets (or, rarely, 3 or 11). Each leaf is long, and the leaflets have serrated margins. They bear large clusters of small white or cream colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).

Sambucus fruit is rich in anthocyanidins that combine to give elderberry juice an intense blue purple coloration that turns reddish on dilution with water.

The name comes from the Ancient Greek word σαμβύκη , an ancient wind instrument, about the removal of pith from the twigs to make whistles.

The genus occurs in temperate to subtropical regions of the world. More widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, its Southern Hemisphere occurrence is restricted to parts of Australasia and South America. Many species are widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves, flowers, and fruit. Elder commonly grows near farms and homesteads. It is a nitrogen dependent plant and thus is generally found near places of organic waste disposal. Elders are often grown as a hedgerow plant in Britain since they take very fast, can be bent into shape easily, and grow quite profusely, thus having gained the reputation of being 'an instant hedge'. It is not generally affected by soil type or pH level and will virtually grow anywhere sufficient sunlight is available.

S. callicarpa berries are consumed by birds and mammals. In Northern California, elderberries are eaten by migrating band tailed pigeons. Elders are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including brown tail, buff ermine, dot moth, emperor moth, engrailed moth, swallow tailed moth and the V pug. The crushed foliage and immature fruit have a strong fetid smell. Valley elderberry longhorn beetles in California are very often found around red or blue elderberry bushes. Females lay their eggs on the bark. Strong scented flowers in wild populations of European elder (S. nigra) attract numerous, minute flower thrips which may contribute to the transfer of pollen between inflorescences.

Traditional uses of Sambucus involved berries, seeds, leaves, and flowers or component extracts. Ornamental varieties of Sambucus are grown in gardens for their showy flowers, fruits and lacy foliage which support habitat for wildlife. Of the many native species, three are used as ornamentals: S. canadensis, S. nigra, and S. racemosa.

The uncooked berries and other parts of plants from this genus are poisonous. In August 1983, a group of 25 people in Monterey County, California, became ill after ingesting elderberry juice pressed from fresh, uncooked S. mexicana berries, leaves, and stems. The seeds of S. callicarpa are reported to be poisonous and may cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Raw elderberries are 80% water, 18% carbohydrates, and less than 1% each of protein and fat. In a amount, elderberries supply of food energy and are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 43% of the Daily Value (DV). Elderberries also have moderate contents of vitamin B6 (18% DV) and iron (12% DV), with no other nutrients in significant content.

Elderberry fruit or flowers are used as dietary supplements to prevent or provide relief from minor diseases, such as flu, colds, constipation, and other conditions, served as a tea, extract or in a capsule. The use of elderberry supplements increased early in the COVID 19 pandemic. There is insufficient research to establish its effectiveness for such uses, or its safety profile. Fibers can be dyed with elderberry juice (using alum as a mordant) to give a "muted purple" shade.

The berry of S. callicarpa can be made into wine. Additionally, they have been hollowed out and used as flutes, blowguns, and syringes. In addition, the elderberry twigs and fruit are employed in creating dyes for basketry. These stems are dyed a very deep black by soaking them in a wash made from the berry stems of the elderberry.

Folklore related to elder trees is extensive and can vary according to region. In some traditions, the elder tree is thought to ward off evil and give protection from witches, while other beliefs say that witches often congregate under the plant, especially when it is full of fruit. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge. The tree could only safely be cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother. Romani people believe burning elder wood brings bad luck. A wand made from the branch of an elder tree plays a pivotal role in the final book of the Harry Potter series, which was almost named Harry Potter and the Elder Wand.