Definition

Noun 1. A species of elder: A small, herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Sambucus, native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It is distinguished by its unpleasant odor and clusters of pinkish-white flowers that produce dark purple-black berries.

Usage

• The plant is commonly known as danewort, dwarf elder, or European dwarf elder.
• Unlike the common elder tree (), is a non-woody herb that dies back to its roots each winter.
• All parts of , especially the seeds, are considered toxic and should not be consumed.

Examples

• Botanists identified the patch of growing at the edge of the woodland.
• The strong, unpleasant smell is a key identifier for .
• Although its berries resemble those of the edible elder, is poisonous.

Advanced Usage

• In historical and ethnobotanical contexts, has been used in traditional folk medicine, albeit with caution due to its toxicity.
• The specific epithet "" is the classical Latin name for this plant.

Variants and Related Words

• Danewort: A common name for .
• Dwarf Elder: A common name for .
• European Dwarf Elder: A common name for .
• Sambucus (noun): The genus to which this plant belongs, which also includes the common elder ().

Synonyms

• Danewort
• Dwarf elder
• European dwarf elder

Notes

• Caution: This entry describes a specific botanical species. It is important to distinguish from other, non-toxic members of the genus used in food and supplements.

Noun

1. dwarf herbaceous elder of Europe having pink flowers and a nauseous odor