European red elder

9.1

A shrub with clusters of small red berries found in woods and gardens

noun

: saúco rojo europeo

Gardeners often plant European red elder for its ornamental red berries and attractive flowers.

Examples

The European red elder thrives in cool, moist woodland areas across its native range.
Birds are attracted to the bright fruit of the European red elder during late summer.
The European red elder grows well in shaded areas.
Many birds are attracted to the European red elder berries.
Birds are attracted to the bright fruit of the European red elder during late summer.
Gardeners often plant European red elder for its ornamental red berries and attractive flowers.
The European red elder thrives in cool, moist woodland areas across its native range.

Synonyms

Sambucus racemosa

vsEuropean red elder

9.9

A shrub with clusters of bright red berries that attract birds

is the everyday common name rather than a scientific label

red-berried elder

vsEuropean red elder

9.9

A small tree or bush with clusters of bright red berries

is limited to Eurasian shrubs rather than wider range or tree form

Surface Forms

European red elder singular

European red elders plural

Morphology

European + red + elder

This is a straightforward descriptive noun phrase: 'elder' names the shrub species, 'red' specifies the color of its berries or flowers, and 'European' indicates geographic origin. The meaning is directly compositional and follows common adjective + noun patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will understand it.

Etymology

European red elder is a name that shows what the plant is: European tells where it grows, red describes its bright berries, and elder is the old name people used for this kind of shrub. People long ago used parts of the elder for medicine and small tools, so the name helps you remember it is a 'shrub' with red 'berries'.