Red-berried elder

About

Red-berried elder is a deciduous bush 2–4 m tall, common in the Carpathians and Precarpathians. It grows in forests, among shrubs, and even on rocks. In spring, the bush is easily recognizable by its dense conical inflorescences 3–6 cm of small white, cream, or yellowish flowers; the buds are pink.

It blooms in May — June, and by August — September, it bears dense clusters of small shiny red drupes, each with several seeds. The leaves are opposite and pinnate. The shoots are soft with a wide pith. Birds eagerly eat the berries and disperse the seeds, and the clusters typically remain on the bush for about a month and a half.

The stems, leaves, and roots of the plant are poisonous, and raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and other signs of poisoning. The seeds are particularly dangerous. Some sources mention that the berries were eaten after cooking, but due to varying data on safety, we do not recommend collecting red-berried elder for food. The red clusters along the trail are especially attractive to children — explain to them that these berries are not edible.

Do not confuse red-berried elder with rowan: rowan berries are orange-red, gathered in flat clusters, while the leaves are alternate. It differs from herbaceous elder by its woody stem and berry color. For birds, its berries are a noticeable summer food source.

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 · Romania

Mountain ranges

Slovak Ore Mountains, Western Tatras, Volovec Mountains, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, High Tatras, Low Tatras, Belianske Tatras, Slovak Central Mountains, Greater Fatra, Strážov Mountains

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m) · Conifer forests (1200–1600 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

Raw berries, especially seeds, are poisonous; leaves, stems, and roots are also. Do not collect berries for food. Do not give unfamiliar berries to children. In case of suspected poisoning, call 103 (or 112).

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Protection and rules

Not protected.

FAQ