23° 



CAPRIFOLIACE^ 



local, but widely diffused. The whole plant diffuses a musk-like 

 scent, which, however, is not perceptible if the plant be bruised. — 

 Fl. April, May. Perennial. 



2. Sambucus (Elder). — Trees, shrubs, or large herbs, remark- 

 able for the large quantity of pith in the young branches ; leaves 

 pinnate ; flowers small, 5-merous, in umbellate cymes ; sepals 



' SAMBUCUS NIGRA {CovuHon Elder). 



3 — 5 ; corolla rotate ; stamens 5 ; ovary 3 — 5-chambered ; ovules i in 

 each chamber ; fruit a berry with 3 — 5 parchment-like endocarps. 

 (Name from the Greek sainbuke, a musical instrument, in making 

 which elder- wood is supposed to have been employed.) 



I. S. nigra (Common Elder). — Stem woody, forming a small 

 tree ; bark corky ; leaves with a strong, unpleasant odour ; cymes 

 with 5 principal branches ; flowers cream-white, of a sickly smell ; 

 berry small, globose, purple-black, polished, rarely green or white. 



