Ground elder v's elder

[Kea]

Can someone tell me what the difference in appearance/growth habit is between ground elder and elder?
Yes I know they're not the same genus but can't seem to find something that tells me how to recognise one from the other!

[Kea]

[Kea]

I should add mine has developed into a small tree so I'm tending to think it's elder (sambucus) not ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) or can the later form a bush/tree?

[saddad]

No, if it's going for a trunk it's Elder (Sambuccus)....  ;D

[Kea]

Thanks...that's good news (I think.....I now have 5 separate plants in different parts of the garden).

Now I'm wondering if the seeds from the Sambucus 'nigra' grow true (i.e. Black or green) or whether it's the culprit behind the sudden influx of elder seedlings.

[saddad]

I'm fairly certain it doesn't come true from seed... which may be the problem!!  :-X

[Robert_Brenchley]

Elder is a small tree. Ground elder is a small sappy plant with typical umbellifer flowers. If you've got it you'll know all about it!