380 



THE HONEYS QCKLE FAMILY. 



The genus consists of but ! few species, spread over Europe, tempe- 

 rate Asia, and North America, and is the only one in the family with 

 pinnate leaves. 



Tree. Leaflets ovate, without stipular lobes 1. Common 22. 



Herb. Leaflets lanceolate, the lowest short, broad, and close 



to the stem, representing stipules ......... 2. Dwarf E. 



The red-berried E. (S. racemosus) common in our shrubberies, is a 

 native of the mountains of continental Europe. 



1. Common Elder. Sambucus nigra, Linn. (Fig. 455.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 476.) 



A small tree, or shrub, with the stem 

 and branches full of pith. Leaf-seg- 

 ments 5 to 7, ovate, pointed, 2 to 3 

 inches long, regularly and sharply 

 toothed, and nearly glabrous. Corymbs 

 5 or 6 inches broad, several times 

 branched, the first time into 4 or 5, but 

 the branches less numerous at each sub- 

 sequent division, the bracts very mi- 

 nute. Flowers white or cream-coloured. 

 Fruits black. 



In woods, coppices, and waste places, 

 common in central and southern Europe 

 to the Caucasus, and extending itself 

 readily from cultivation further north- 

 ward. Appears to be truly indigenous 

 in England and Ireland, but only intro- 

 duced into Scotland. Fl. summer, rather 



Fig. 455. 



early. 

 leaves. 



A garden variety has deeply and finely- cut segments to the 



2. Dwarf Elder. Sambucus Ebulus, Linn. (Fig. 456.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 475. Danewort.) 



Stock short and perennial, with annual, erect stems, thick and pithy, 

 slightly branched, 2 to 3 feet high. Leaf-segments 7 to 11, lanceolate, 

 2 to 4 inches long, with a small one on each side of the leafstalk, on the 

 stem itself, looking like stipules. Corymbs less regular, and rather 

 smaller than in the common E., with only 3 primary branches. Flowers 

 sweet-scented, of a pure white, or tinted with purple on the outside. 

 Fruits black. 



