Sambucus racemosa

Deciduous shrub of the Adoxaceae family, the red elder is widely spread in Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to Siberia, as well as in temperate Asia and North America. It is characteristic of mountain forests, tall herb communities, shaded edges, and moist scree enriched with nitrogen, generally between 800 and 2,000 meters in altitude, where it often serves as an indicator of disturbed or enriched soil sites.

It forms a vigorous, branched bush, reaching 1.5 to 3 meters in height, with reddish-brown branches bearing a characteristic orange-brown pith, which immediately distinguishes it from the black elder whose pith is white. The leaves are compound, with 5 to 7 oval-lanceolate, finely toothed leaflets, of a medium green.

The flowers are small, yellowish-white to cream-white, gathered in upright oval panicles, appearing early in spring before or with the leaves. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from April to June depending on the altitude. The fruits, which ripen in July-August, are small, bright red drupes, grouped in dense, very ornamental clusters, much appreciated by birds.

The berries are toxic to humans when raw. In cultivation, it adapts to most fresh to moist soils, in partial shade or light shade, and is suitable for natural mountain gardens or undergrowth. Periodic rejuvenation pruning maintains a compact habit and good fruiting.