Family: Viburnaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 269 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Sambucus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Madeira, NW. Africa, Europe to S. Turkmenistan
Description
Danewort, known scientifically as Sambucus ebulus, is a remarkable plant belonging to the Viburnaceae family. This herbaceous perennial species has a broad geographical distribution, thriving in various regions including Madeira, Northwest Africa, Europe, and extending as far east as Southern Turkmenistan. First documented in 1753 by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” (page 269), Danewort has a longstanding historical significance and an intriguing botany.
Typically found in moist, nutrient-rich soils, Danewort usually grows in the wild, often along roadsides, forest edges, and in cultivated lands where it sometimes becomes weedy. The plant reaches about 1 to 1.5 meters in height and is easily recognized by its dark green, pinnate leaves which give off an unpleasant odor when crushed. The arrangement of the leaves is opposite, and they possess serrated margins, adding to the plant’s distinctive appearance.
Danewort blooms in the summer months, producing flat clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that can be white or pinkish in color. These inflorescences are not only visually attractive but also serve as an essential food source for various pollinating insects. Following the flowering phase, the plant produces small, glossy black berries that hang in dense clusters. Despite their enticing appearance, these berries, as well as other parts of the plant, are toxic to humans and should not be consumed without proper processing.
Historically, Danewort has been used in traditional medicine, although caution is advised due to its toxic properties. In the past, its berries were sometimes used to make dyes, and its roots were believed to possess diuretic and purgative properties.
Botanically, Danewort differentiates itself from other species in the Sambucus genus by being herbaceous rather than woody and not forming a shrub or tree. This trait is particularly notable in contrast to its close relatives, such as the elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which typically develops into larger, woody structures.
In summary, Sambucus ebulus or Danewort is a unique, herbaceous plant with a rich history and a wide distribution across various regions. Its striking botanical features and the caution required due to its toxicity make it a fascinating subject for those interested in plant species and natural history.
Common Names
Heb: agmon sarua
Deu: attich, zwerg-holunder, zwerg-holunder, attich
Eng: danewort, dwarf elder, dwarf elderberry, danewort, dwarf elder
Dan: sommer-hyld
Ces: bez chebdí
Nld: kruidvlier
Swe: ruohoselja, sommarfläder, mannablod, sommarhyll
Fin: ruohoselja
Spa: sabugueirinho, ébulo
Est: väike leeder
Fra: yèble, sureau yèble, sureau yièble
Lit: žolinis žeivamedis
Nno: sommarhyll
Nob: sommerhyll
Cym: corysgaw, corysgawen, creulif mair, creulys mawr, gwaed y gwŷr, walwrt, ysgaw fair, ysgaw mair, ysgaw’r ddaear, ysgawen bendiged, ysgawen fair, ysgawen fendigaid, ysgawen y ddaear
En: Danewort, Dwarf elder, Dwarf elderberry, Dane weed, Dane’s elder, Danesblood, European dwarf elder, Mediterranean herb elder, Walewort, Danewort, dwarf elder, Dwarf-elder
Ar: خمان قزم
Az: Otşəkilli gəndalaş
Eu: Andura, Zihaurri
Be: Бузіна травяністая
Bg: Бъзак
Ca: Saüc pudent, Évol, Èbul
Co: Sambuchellu
Hr: Abdovina
Cs: Bez chebdí
Da: Sommer-Hyld
Nl: Kruidvlier
Et: Väike leeder
Fi: Ruohoselja
Fr: Sureau hièble, Yèble, Sureau yèble, Sureau yièble, Hièble, Petit Sureau, Herbe à l’aveugle, Herbe à punaises, Herbe aux yeux
Gl: Engo
Ka: Ანწლი
De: Wilder Holunder, Zwerg-Holunder, Zwergblatt, Zwergholunder, Attich, Zwerg-Holunder, Attich, Kraut-Holder
He: Agmon sarua, סמבוק אמיתי
Hu: Földi bodza
Is: Evrópudvergyllir
It: Ebbio, Sambuchella, Sambuco Lebbio, Ebulo, Ebolo, Lebbio, Sambuco minore
Ko: 딱총나무
Lt: Žolinis šeivamedis, Žolinis žeivamedis
No: Sommerhyll
Nb: Sommerhyll
Nn: Sommarhyll
Os: Уанцъылы
Fa: سمبوکاس ابولوس
Pl: Bez hebd
Ro: Boz
Ru: Бузина травянистая
Sr: Авдика
Sk: Baza chabzdová
Es: Sabugueirinho, Ébulo, Ebulo, Saúco menor, Yezgo, Sauquillo, Súco enano
Sv: Sommarfläder, Ruohoselja, Mannablod, Sommarhyll
Tr: Bodur mürver
Uk: Бузина трав’яниста
Cy: Ysgawen Fair, Corysgaw, Corysgawen, Creulif Mair, Creulys Mawr, Gwaed y Gwŷr, Walwrt, Ysgaw Fair, Ysgaw Mair, Ysgaw’r Ddaear, Ysgawen Bendiged, Ysgawen Fendigaid, Ysgawen y Ddaear
Synonyms
- Sambucus ebulus f. xerophila (Priszter)
- Sambucus ebulus var. citrina (Cheshm.)
- Sambucus paucijuga (Steven)
- Sambucus ebulus var. viridis (Petković)
- Sambucus ebulus f. laciniata (Vicol)
- Sambucus herbacea (Gilib.)
- Sambucus ebulus subsp. laciniata (Arcang.)
- Viburnum ebulus ((L.) Martinovský)
- Sambucus deborensis ((Košanin) Košanin)
- Sambucus ebulus var. incarnata (Cheshm.)
- Sambucus ebulus var. deborensis (Košanin)
- Sambucus ebulus var. laciniata (Ten.)
- Ebulum humile ((Mill.) Garcke)
- Sambucus ebulus var. humilis ((Mill.) Mérat)
- Sambucus humilis (Mill.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Baltic States (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Cijag60 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Francisco Sanchez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 28, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2017 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2017 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 16, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 8, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2017 by Eric Rebsamen (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 1, 2017 by María Pilar Martín (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − gharry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Emmanuel Debraize (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2019 by curritodelacroix (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888722)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:149315-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sambucus ebulus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 6
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 7