Practical
Plants

Sambucus ebulus

Dwarf Elder

a perennial member of the Sambucus genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
1.2 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some, if not all, members of this genus are poisonous[22][20]. The fruit of this species has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked[18][20].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - cooked. It is used as a flavouring in soups etc[8]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in large clusters[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Leaves are used as a tea substitute[2][8]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are antiphlogistic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and laxative[15][19][22][6][11][13]. The fruit is also sometimes used, but it is less active than the leaves[15]. The herb is commonly used in the treatment of liver and kidney complaints[15]. When bruised and laid on boils and scalds, they have a healing effect[15]. They can be made into a poultice for treating swellings and contusions[15]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[19]. The root is diaphoretic, mildly diuretic and a drastic purgative[15][19][22]. Dried, then powdered and made into a tea, it is considered to be one of the best remedies for dropsy[15][13]. It should only be used with expert supervision because it can cause nausea and vertigo[22]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh berries or the bark[22]. It is used in the treatment of dropsy[22].

Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A blue dye and an ink are obtained from the fruit[6][16][17][5]. The root juice is used to dye hair black[15]. The leaves are said to repel mice and moles[15][5]. Plants make a dense ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[10]. They are best used in large areas, roadsides etc[10]. Our experience to date (1995) is that the plants spread vigorously but do not form a dense cover and so do not exclude other plants[K].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Repellent

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from the Netherlands south and east to the Mediterranean and Himalayas.
Habitat
Waste ground, woods, hedgerows and scrub. especially on calcareous soils[19][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first[21][23][4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Division of suckers in spring or autumn. Very easy.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tolerates most soils, including chalk[9], but prefers a moist loamy soil[3][9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[9]. A very invasive plant, sending up new shoots a metre or more away[K]. It can be used for naturalising in the rougher parts of the garden[12], growing well on rough banks etc[1]. The whole plant, when bruised, emits a most unpleasant fur-like smell[14]. The bark, in particular, smells like stale perspiration[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

  8. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  11. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  13. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  18. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩1↩2

  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  22. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  23. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩

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