Elder, Sambucas Nigra.
This is a photo of my own personal tree, it appeared one day in my garden about five years back, growing as a tiny little thing and refused to leave.
It is said that Elder prefers to grow wild, but that it will sow and grow itself in an inhabited area, but only in the garden of a true Witch.
Its berries are known as a medicine for colds and flus, usually in the form of a syrup.
In folklore it is said to be protective and that each of its flowers, twigs and berries hold blessings to those lucky enough to be granted with its presence and these blessings are especially auspicious if the tree plants itself.
My personal view of the tree is that its protective qualities are real, the flowers smell wonderful and the berries taste great, however, the leaves do smell a bit like cats piss so watch out for that.
















