Danewort

European Dwarf Elder
Danewort inflorescence Danewort inflorescence
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Dipsacales Family: Adoxaceae Genus: Sambucus Species: S. ebulus
Binomial name
Sambucus ebulus L.

Danewort (Sambucus ebulus), also known as Dwarf Elder or European Dwarf Elder and Walewort is a herbaceous species of elder, native to southern and central Europe and southwest Asia. It grows to 1-2 m tall, with erect, usually unbranched stems growing in large groups from an extensive perennial underground rhizome. 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.

The name Danewort comes from the belief that it only grows on the sites of battles that involved the Danes.

External Links

Grieve, 'A Modern Herbal' (1931)