This orchid has forked bulbs like a typical Dactylorhiza but it also has many special features which are quite uncommon for this family.

First, it does not grow on wet biotopes like the most other orchids of this family, but on dry meadows and slopes.

Second, it grows only on acidic soil. I have found this orchid on a ryolite rock in the middle of a lime area. There have been plenty of these orchids on the sunny ryolite slope, but not even one on the lime soil. This orchid flees from the lime like no other Dactylorhiza.

Third, the adult orchid has by far the strongest mycorrhiza of all Dactylorhiza plants. This makes them very difficult in garden culture. If you prepare an acidic bed with the right soil, with full sun, but perhaps light shade from bushes or trees, there may be hope. On these places it can be combined with Orchis morio.

D. sambucina is a very beautiful orchid which exists in red and yellow subspecies. On some places, there are growing both which leads to colorful nature hybrids.

The blossoms smell a little like elder, thus the name.