STINKING ELDER Meaning and
Definition
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Stinking elder, scientifically known as Sambucus foetidus, is a flowering shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family. This particular plant is native to Europe and is also commonly found in North Africa and Western Asia. It is known for its strong and offensive odor, which gives it its unique name "stinking elder."
This deciduous shrub typically grows up to 6 feet in height and has dark green compound leaves with seven leaflets. The leaflets are pinnate, serrated, and have an unpleasant smell, contributing to the shrub's distinctive characteristic. Stinking elder blooms during the spring, where it produces clusters of nodding small creamy-white flowers. These flowers are further accompanied by dark purplish-black berries, which are mildly toxic to consume.
Despite its repulsive scent, stinking elder has been used in folk medicine for its potential therapeutic properties. Certain parts of the shrub, including the bark, leaves, and berries, have been traditionally employed to treat various ailments. It is believed to possess diuretic, antispasmodic, and laxative properties, and has been utilized in remedies for fevers, rheumatism, and as a diaphoretic agent.
However, it is important to note that the consumption of stinking elder should be done cautiously or avoided altogether due to its potential toxicity. It is recommended to consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare professional before using this plant for any medicinal purposes.
Common Misspellings for STINKING ELDER
- atinking elder
- ztinking elder
- xtinking elder
- dtinking elder
- etinking elder
- wtinking elder
- srinking elder
- sfinking elder
- sginking elder
- syinking elder
- s6inking elder
- s5inking elder
- stunking elder
- stjnking elder
- stknking elder
- stonking elder
- st9nking elder
- st8nking elder
- stibking elder
Etymology of STINKING ELDER
The word "stinking elder" is composed of two parts: "stinking" and "elder".
The term "stinking" can be traced back to the Old English word "stincan", meaning "to emit a strong odor". It originally came from the Proto-Germanic word "stinkwanan". Over time, "stinking" came to be used in English to describe something that emits a foul or strong smell.
On the other hand, "elder" originates from the Old English word "ellærn", which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "aliz". The name "elder" refers to a type of tree or shrub belonging to the genus Sambucus. The word "elder" is used to describe several species within this genus, including Sambucus nigra, commonly known as the European elder or Black elder.
Similar spelling words for STINKING ELDER
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