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Botanical Name:Sambucus Ebulus (LINN.)
Family :Caprifoliaceae /Adoxaceae – Honeysuckle family
Genus: Sambucus
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Division :Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Dipsacales
Specific Epithet: ebulus
Common Names: dwarf elder, danewort, or European Dwarf Elder and Walewort
Parts Used: whole plant

Habitat : Native to southern and central Europe and southwest Asia.It grows in moist soil with partial sun shade.

Description:
It is a perennial herb.It grows to 1-2 m tall, with erect, usually unbranched stems growing in large groups from an extensive perennial underground rhizome. Dying down completely in winter, and spreading by vigorous underground rhizomes to form large colonies. The leaves are opposite, pinnate, 15-30 cm long, with 5-9 leaflets with a foetid smell. The stems terminate in a corymb 10-15 cm diameter with numerous white (occasionally pink) flowers. The fruit is a small glossy black berry 5-6 mm diameter.

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Click to see pictures of Sambucas ebulus.

Dwarf elder occurs in many parts of Europe but is rare in the UK. The name danewort originates from a belief that it is found only on sites where battles took place between the English and the Danes, as the plant grew from the blood of Danish soldiers. In Norfolk it is also known as ‘blood hilder,’ i.e. blood elder. Dwarf elder likes damp ground in sun or part shade. It grows from seed . Sambucus ebulus probably needs hot sunshine for successful fruiting as berries do not ripen in my garden, equivalent to Zone 8 but with cool summers. The plant is potentially invasive.” – Deni Bown, Promising Plants Presentation, 2004

Cultivation details:
Tolerates most soils, including chalk, but prefers a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations.

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, growing well on rough banks etc.

The whole plant, when bruised, emits a most unpleasant fur-like smell. The bark, in particular, smells like stale perspiration.

Propagation:
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. 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.

Medicinal Uses:
Antiphlogistic; Cholagogue; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Expectorant; Homeopathy; Poultice; Purgative.

The leaves are antiphlogistic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and laxative. The fruit is also sometimes used, but it is less active than the leaves. The herb is commonly used in the treatment of liver and kidney complaints. When bruised and laid on boils and scalds, they have a healing effect[4]. They can be made into a poultice for treating swellings and contusions. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use.

The root is diaphoretic, mildly diuretic and a drastic purgative. Dried, then powdered and made into a tea, it is considered to be one of the best remedies for dropsy. It should only be used with expert supervision because it can cause nausea and vertigo.

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh berries or the bark. It is used in the treatment of dropsy.

Other Uses:
Dye; Ground cover; Hair; Ink; Repellent.
A blue dye and an ink are obtained from the fruit.

The root juice is used to dye hair black.

The leaves are said to repel mice and moles.

Plants make a dense ground cover when spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208]. They are best used in large areas, roadsides etc. 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].

Division of suckers in spring or autumn. Very easy.

* Note: Leaves may cause contact dermatitis. Raw berries are poisonous and all parts of the plant may be toxic if consumed in excess.

Scent:
Plant: Crushed
The whole plant, when bruised, emits a most unpleasant fur-like smell. The bark, in particular, smells like stale perspiration
Uses: ornamental, dye, medicinal (limited)*

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Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:

http://www.herbsociety.org/promplant/sebulus.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danewort

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Sambucus+ebulus

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