Each individual leaf is composed of 5 to 7 leaflike leaflets, each of which is up to 16 cm (6+1⁄4 in) long, lance-shaped to narrowly oval, and irregularly serrated along the edges.

[4] The inflorescence is a vaguely cone-shaped panicle of several cymes of flowers blooming from the ends of stem branches.

Each flower has small, recurved petals and a star-shaped axis of five white stamens tipped in yellow anthers.

It is native to Europe, northern temperate Asia, and North America across Canada and the United States.

[5] Sambucus racemosa is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use as a shrub or small tree in traditional and wildlife gardens, and natural landscape design projects.