Elder

About

Elder is a bush or small tree up to 6–7 m, common in Carpathian villages, at forest edges, along streams, near fences and old Sadybas. In the mountains, it mainly inhabits the lower belt and valleys, where the soil is rich in nitrogen.

The bark is grayish, with lenticels, and young branches have a white spongy pith. The leaves are pinnate, with five to seven pointed leaflets, having a sharp smell when crushed. In May — June, the bush is covered with large flat white inflorescences with a honey aroma. The berries are small, black-purple, shiny, ripening in August — September and hanging in heavy clusters.

Ripe berries and flowers are the only parts used for food. The leaves, bark, branches, and also green, unripe berries contain cyanogenic glycosides and can cause nausea and vomiting. Raw ripe berries can also irritate the stomach, so they are consumed only after cooking.

Two other species of elder grow in the Carpathians, both of which are dangerous. Herbaceous elder is a tall herb, not a bush: it dies back to the ground every year, has an unpleasant smell, inflorescences that face upwards, and berries that stand upright. It is poisonous. Red elder grows higher in the mountains, in clearings and spruce forests; its red berries appear as early as July, and its seeds are poisonous.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Ukraine · Hungary · Romania · Austria

Mountain ranges

Slovak Ore Mountains, Strážov Mountains, White Carpathians, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Lesser Fatra, Little Carpathians, Greater Fatra, Štiavnica Mountains, Slovak Central Mountains, Low Tatras

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

Only flowers and ripe black berries after heat treatment are edible. Leaves, bark, branches, and green berries are poisonous. Do not confuse with herbaceous elder (a herb with upright berries) and red elder (red berries, poisonous seeds). Do not give unfamiliar berries to children and teach them not to taste anything in the forest without adults.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

In folk tradition

Flowers are traditionally dried and brewed as tea; from ripe berries after cooking, jams, syrups, and compotes are made.

Protection and rules

Not protected. For personal use, it can be collected in state and communal forests; in reserves and protected areas of national parks — prohibited.

FAQ