The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry.The elderberry bush is a large plant with low-hanging branches that produces dark purple berries that can be used in jams, wines, and juices.They bear large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring.Raw elderberries are 80% water, 18% carbohydrates, and less than 1% each of protein and fat (table).In a 100 gram amount, elderberries supply 73 calories and are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 43% of the Daily Value (DV).Elderberries also have moderate contents of vitamin B6 (18% DV) and iron (12% DV), with no other nutrients in significant content (table).The oppositely arranged leaves are pinnate with 5-9 leaflets (rarely 3 or 11).

Each leaf is 5-30 cm (2.0-11.8 in) long, and the leaflets have serrated margins.They bear large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white).Elder fruit plants in keralais now available in our farms.