A small tree, up to 10 m tall. Stem lenticellate. Leaves exstipulate or stipules inconspicuous; leaflets 5-7, oval to ovate, 3-7 x 1.5-4 cm; margin serrate; apex acute; surface glabrous to strigose; veins strigose. Inflorescence corymbose, up to 15 cm in diameter. Pedicel jointed. Bracteole minute, glandular below the joint. Hypanthium turbinate, c. 1 mm long. Calyx 5-toothed, minute. Corolla rotate with 5, almost round lobes; lobe 1.5 mm long, 3-nerved. Anthers oblong, 1 mm long, filament 2 mm long. Stigmas 3, almost sessile. Fruit globose, black, 5-6 mm in diameter. Pyrenes oblong, 3.5 mm long, surface rugose.

Fl.Per.: May.

Type: Described from Germany.

Distribution: Europe and Asia.

Elder is cultivated. The pith is used in laboratories for cutting sections.