SAMBUCAS EBULUS

Family:- CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Common Names:- Dwarf elder, danewort.

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Sambucus (L) Latin for the elder tree.

Ebulus (L) A name in used by the Roman naturalist and natural

philosopher Pliny for danewort.

General description:- Perennial herb with a creeping rhizome.

Stems:-

a) up to 0·6-2 m.

b) stout, erect, usually simple.

Leaves:-

1) Leaflets:

a) 5-13, 5-16 x 1-4·5 cm.

b) oblong to oblong-lanceolate, gradually narrowing to a point, (acuminate).

c) margins, acute saw-toothed, (acutely serrate).

2) Stipules:

a) conspicuous, more or less ovate.

Flower:-

1) Inflorescence:

a) 5-16 cm diam.

b) corymbose.

c) with 3(-4) primary rays.

2) Corolla:

a) white, rarely pink outside.

b) anthers purple.

Fruit:-

1) Drupe:

a) with 3-5 compressed, cartilaginous pyrenes.

b) globose.

c) black.

Key features:-

1) Stipules conspicuous.

Habitat:- Woodland margins, gorges, streambanks, ruderal habitats, often

gregarious along roads 0-900 m.

Distribution:- Fairly widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean.

Limited distribution on Crete, mainly in the west.

Flowering time:- May-Aug.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis