This community is dominated by Sambucus racemosa, which is frequently accompanied by other pioneer woody plants such as Betula pendula or Salix caprea. Herb layer contains species of forest herb layers and clearings. It occurs on clearings of beech, fir or spruce forests, at forest edges and in canopy openings at middle and higher altitudes, especially above 500 m. In many cases this is a successional stage following after Rubetum idaei.