Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of shrubs or small trees: Sambucus is the scientific genus name for a group of flowering plants commonly known as elders or elderberries. These plants are characterized by their clusters of small white or cream flowers and dark purple or black berries.

Usage

• is primarily used in scientific, botanical, and horticultural contexts to refer to the genus as a whole or to specific species within it.
• In everyday language, the common names "elder" or "elderberry" are used instead.

Examples

• Scientific/Botanical Context:
  • The Sambucus genus is part of the Adoxaceae family.
  • This particular species is classified as Sambucus nigra, the European elder.
  • Researchers studied the medicinal properties of several Sambucus species.

Advanced Usage

• The genus name is always capitalized and italicized in formal botanical writing.
• It can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe parts or products of the plant.
  • Sambucus extract is popular in herbal supplements.
  • We planted a Sambucus shrub in the garden.

Variants and Related Words

• Elder (n): The common name for trees and shrubs of the genus .
• Elderberry (n): The common name for the edible berry produced by plants of the genus .
• Sambucus nigra (n): The Latin binomial (genus + species) for the European black elderberry, the most commonly cultivated species.

Synonyms

• Elder
• Elderberry (when referring to the plant itself, though this more specifically denotes the fruit)

Notes

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with the scientific term . Such expressions would use the common name "elder" (e.g., "an elder statesman").

Noun

1. elder; elderberry