Foragers' Favourite PnG
The cache, a camo-taped preform tube, is hidden at the base of this large bush just off a public footpath leading from Moor Road which runs (under various names) from Ilkley around Rombald's Moor to Baildon, through Stead Hall (farm) to join Colston Drive - which eventually via various farm lanes connects with Ben Rhydding Drive near the Clevedon Retirement complex.
The cache can be done as a Park and Grab (PnG) with parking available @ N 53 54.519 W 1 47.082 in a small lay-by on Moor Road opposite the footpath start.
*** Please take extra care crossing this well-used road which seems to attract some speedsters! Also, be careful when rejoining the road after completing your GC operations! ***
At the time of placing the cache, the bush was in full (spectacular and heavily scented) flower, and the opportunity was taken to collect around 20 flower heads to make some delicious elderflower cordial.
The (black | European ) elder(berry) Sambucus nigra is a species complex of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae native to most of Europe and North America. The Latin species name nigra (black) relates to the deeply dark colour of the berries. The English term for the tree does not come from 'old' but from the Anglo Saxon æld (fire) - the hollow stems of the branches were used as bellows to blow air into a fire.
It a deciduous shrub or small tree with a short trunk (bole), and grey-brown, corky, furrowed bark and relatively few branches. It typically grows to 6m tall and wide but mature trees can reach 15m tall and up to 60 years in a variety of conditions including wet or dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations.
It is hermaphrodite - both male and female reproductive parts are contained within the same flower. Most of the plant is poisonous to mammals, and it may become a weed in certain habitats.
It is very common in hedgerows, waste ground roadsides, 
woods and scrubland in Britain and northern Europe. Some cultivars with variegated or coloured leaves and/or other distinctive qualities are grown as ornamental shrubs or small trees.
Uses: it is a very popular flavour as it complements beers, wine, cider, cordials, champagne, liqueurs, gin and other spirits. Dried elderflower has a more concentrated flavour than the fresh flowers and is available all year. Its fresh floral aroma is often preferred over that of other flowers as it retains some 'zing' when used in gin and pale ales. It pairs well with apples to make a cider or wine.
Both flowers and berries are traditionally used mainly to make cordial (see recipe here) and wine.
Although commonly used in dietary supplements and traditional medicine and described by Hippocrates (remembered affectionately as the 'father of medicine') as his 'medicine chest' due to its success in treating so many illnesses, there is no scientific evidence that it (Black Elder at least) provides any health benefit or can treat any disease. A case of 'faith' over 'fact'?
Despite this, the plant continues to be used in traditional medicine by native peoples and by herbalists. Extracts of the flowers and fruits are used for cold and flu symptoms. For a detailed and fascinating account of its place in mythology, traditional beliefs and medicine, see here.
The glossy, dark purple to black berry produced in drooping clusters in late autumn are an important food for many fruit-eating birds, notably blackcaps.
The berries are mildly poisonous in their raw state. Unripe berries, the seeds of the fruit, and all green parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides.
However the vitamin-C rich berries are edible after cooking and are used to make jam, jelly, chutney, and Pontack sauce. In Scandinavia and Germany, soup made from the elderberry (eg. the sweet German Fliederbeersuppe served with grit dumplings) is a traditional meal.
The flowerheads are often used in infusions to make a delicious drink in Northern Europe and the Balkans, 
which is sold commercially as elderflower cordial. They can also be dipped into a light batter and fried to make elderflower fritters or tempura.
Both flowers and berries may be made into elderberry wine. In Hungary, an elderberry brandy is made using 50kg of fruit to make 1L. In SW Sweden, it is traditional to make a flavoured snaps liqueur. Elderflowers are used in liqueurs such as St-Germain, and in a mildly alcoholic sparkling elderflower 'champagne', although a more alcoholic home-made version can be made. In Beerse, Belgium, a variety of beer is made from the berries.
It provides fair-good forage for animals such as mule deer, elk, sheep, and small birds. It may be used as nesting habitat for many birds, including warblers.
The flowers provide nectar for a variety of insects and the berries are eaten by birds and mammals. Small mammals, such as dormice and bank voles, eat both the berries and the flowers.
Many moth caterpillars feed on elder foliage, including the white-spotted pug, swallowtail, dot moth and buff ermine.
Mature elder wood is hard and yellow-white and good for whittling and carving, while smaller stems can be hollowed out to make craft items.
The strong-smelling elder foliage was once used to keep flies away and branches were often hung around dairies and tied to a horse's mane to keep flies away while riding.
Poisoning: except for the flowers and ripe berries (but including the ripe seeds), all parts of the plant are poisonous to mammals (including humans) as they contain the toxic cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin. Also the bark contains calcium oxalate crystals.
Eating raw elderberries, leaves, bark, and stems, if not properly prepared, may cause nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhoea. These parts should not be taken in any form during pregnancy or by people with allergies or gastrointestinal diseases and may also cause adverse effects if taken with some prescription drugs.