DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERIXG SHRUBS. 467 



[Name from an ancient musical instrument, supposed to liave been made 

 from the wood of this tree.] 



SAMBUCUS.-Eldet^. 



•nt musical instrument, suppo 

 e.l 



Sambucus Canadensis. — Common Elder. — This very 

 common shrub grows about eight or ten feet high in low 

 ground, and conspicuous in June and July for its broad 

 cymes of white flowers, succeeded by clusters of small, 

 dark-purple, or nearly black, berries. An infusion of the 

 bruised leaves is used by gardeners to expel insects from 

 vines. The flowers are highly esteemed, as having im- 

 portant medicinal qualities. The plant, on account of its 

 ornamental flowers and berries, may be introduced into 

 extensive shrubberies. 



S. nigra. — European Elder. — This species is very com- 

 mon in Eui'ope, and is the original of several ornamental 

 varieties, among which are, S. laciniatt/s, or Parsley- 

 leaved, which is a variety of the European S. nigra^ a shrub 

 eight feet high, with deeply cut or laciniated leaves and 

 white flowers. There a number of other curious varieties, 

 one the Golden-striped, in which the leaves are striped or 

 blotched with yellow. A variety of the Parsley-leaved, 

 or Silver-striped, has leaves beautifully variegated with 

 white. There is also a variety with double, pure white 

 flowers, of which the shrub has some resemblance to our 

 Common Elder. The flowers, however, are so oflensive 

 to the smell, that they are not desirable to cut, but hand- 

 some on the bush. 



SHEPHERDIA. 



[So named by Nuttall, in compliment to Mr. Thomas Shepherd, of the Bo- 

 tanic Garden, Liverpool.] 



Slieph^rdia arj^^ntea. — Bufialo Tree. —This graceful 

 shrub, or low tree, is found in the neighborhood of the 

 Rocky Mountains, in large clumps, or clusters. It is oaten 



