Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common North American shrub or small tree: "stinking elder" refers to a specific type of plant native to North America, known for its unpleasant odor, particularly when its leaves or stems are crushed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stinking elder grows abundantly in the forest understory.
  • We identified the shrub by its distinctive smell; it was a stinking elder.

Advanced Usage

• As a botanical identifier: The term is used in botanical and ecological contexts to specify this particular species.
  • The field guide listed the stinking elder as a key species in the riparian zone.

Variants and Related Words

• American elder (n): A common name for , which may sometimes be confused with or related to stinking elder.
• Sambucus (n): The genus to which elders belong.
• Fetid shrub: A descriptive phrase highlighting the plant's odor.

Synonyms

• American red elder (n): Another common name for , which may be synonymous or closely related.
• Red-berried elder (n): A name referring to the plant's berry color.

Related Phrases

• "Elder bush": A general term for shrubs in the genus.
  • Various birds feed on the berries of the elder bush.

Notes

• The "stinking" descriptor specifically refers to the strong, often unpleasant smell emitted by the plant's foliage, which is a key identifying characteristic.

Noun

1. common North American shrub or small tree