Dwarf Elder
ExplorePlants
Dwarf Elder
Sambucus ebulus
The Dwarf Elder is a small shrub that grows in gardens and wild places. It has pretty white flowers and dark berries that birds love to eat!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Dwarf Elder is a bushy perennial with deeply divided green leaves. It has distinctive flat-topped clusters of small, white to pinkish-white flowers, which later develop into glossy black berries.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyViburnaceaeGenusSambucus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Historically, people used its roots to create a natural black dye.
It's not a true 'tree' elder, often called 'ground elder' because it stays small!
Its ancient scientific name, 'ebulus', likely comes from old Roman names.
The berries contain a pigment that can stain hands purple, like a secret message!
Special abilities
Ability
Toxin Shield
Dwarf Elder has compounds that make its raw leaves and berries toxic, protecting itself from many hungry herbivores.
Ability
Berry Lure
This plant produces bright, black berries that attract birds, helping to scatter its seeds widely for reproduction.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 50-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from flowers
eaten by
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Feeds on ripe, dark berries
eaten by
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Enjoys eating the mature, dark berries
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Do not eat the berries without asking an adult, as they can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Dwarf Elder?
50-150 cm
How wide does Dwarf Elder spread?
50-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Dwarf Elder?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Dwarf Elder bloom?
Summer
Is Dwarf Elder edible?
No
Is Dwarf Elder toxic?
High
What is Dwarf Elder's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Dwarf Elder pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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