[2][3] It grows in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry fertile soils, primarily in sunny locations.

[4] Although the plant is commonly used in dietary supplements and traditional medicine, there is no scientific evidence that it provides any significant health benefit.

[6] The hermaphroditic flowers have five stamens,[7] which are borne in large, flat corymbs 10–25 cm in diameter in late spring to mid-summer.

The fruit is a glossy, dark purple to black berry 3–5 mm diameter, produced in drooping clusters in late autumn.

[10] The Latin specific epithet nigra means "black", and refers to the deeply dark colour of the berries.

[17] Elder rates as fair to good forage for animals such as mule deer, elk, sheep, and small birds.

Ripe elderberries are a favorite food for migrating band-tailed pigeons in northern California, which may sometimes strip an entire bush in a short time.

The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[21] Components of the elderberry plant, including its fruit, contain diverse phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, lectins, and cyanogenic glycosides, which may be toxic if consumed raw.

[26] Consumption of berries, leaves, bark or stems, if not properly prepared, may cause nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea.

[30] In Europe, the flowers are made into a syrup or cordial (in Romanian: Socată, in Swedish: fläder(blom)saft, in Danish: hyldeblomstsaft / hyldedrik), which is diluted with water before drinking.

[26][32] Extracts of the flowers and fruits are used for cold and flu symptoms,[26][8] although there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it is effective for treating any disease.