Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)

Pictures

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  Appearance

  The Red Elderberry is a widely found, large bush with arched branches. The distinctive red berries appear in August. Due to its high tolerance of shade, it is also ideal for planting as underwood in gardens and parks.

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  Leaves

  Odd-pinnate, 10-20cm long, 10-15cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.

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  Leaf upperside

  Odd-pinnate, 10-20cm long, 10-15cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.

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  Leaf underside

  Odd-pinnate, 10-20cm long, 10-15cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.

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  Flowers

  Flowering period IV-V, yellowish-white corymbs up to 10cm long, wheel-shaped flowers.

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  Fruits

  Round red berries in clusters, up to 0.5cm in diameter. Not edible when raw. Very pungent taste when cooked.

Poisonousness

The seeds are slightly toxic. Consumption may lead to gastrointestinal complaints with nausea, feeling of sickness and diarrhoea. The ripe berries can be made into jam or tea.

Application

Open country, open fields, pioneer tree, tip afforestation, hillside stabilization, noise abatement, bird protection, forage for honey-bees, public areas, parks, roadside verges, car parks, private parks, gardens, front gardens

Native regions

Europe, Southern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Middle East, Asia Minor, Western Asia

Location parameters

Light: full sun to shady, temperature: normal to cool, soil: dry to moist, soil structure: firm to normal, soil depth: shallow to medium, soil quality: medium to high, pH value: 4.5 to 6.5, nutrient concentration: medium

Demands

Sun to half-shade, prefers light shade; likes cool, moist conditions, frost-hardy; on all acid substrates, avoids lime; intolerant of salt, resistant to wind.

Growth

Height of growth: 2m to 4m, spread: 2m to 4m, slow growth potential, growth habits: wide, loose, upright, overhanging

Leaves

Odd-pinnate, 10-20cm long, 10-15cm wide. Oblong leaflets. Serrated edge. Leaves are dark green above, pale green below.

Flowers

Flowering period IV-V, yellowish-white corymbs up to 10cm long, wheel-shaped flowers.

Fruits

Round red berries in clusters, up to 0.5cm in diameter. Not edible when raw. Very pungent taste when cooked.

Bark

Pale grey-brown, smooth bark. Branches are pale grey-brown or pale reddish-brown. The marrow is pale brown.

Roots

Surface-rooting, expansive root system

• Pests and diseases of this tree/shrub