Red elderberry is a large deciduous shrub or small tree of the Honeysuckle family that grows 10-20 ft tall with a broad arching form. Older specimens have large, multiple trunks with coarse bark. Red elderberry begins growth early in spring and produces abundant, small, creamy white flowers in large, conical or pyramidal shaped clusters between April and July. Large clusters of small, bright red, fleshy berries appear in summer bearing 2-5 seeds per fruit. Opposite leaves are divided into 5-7 pointed, oval to oblong or lance shaped 5-10 cm long leaflets with finely toothed margins. The foliage has a strong, distinctive odor. Twigs are pithy and light weight, dark red or purple to reddish-brown in color, and covered with numerous small bumps (raised pores). Dead terminal twigs are common.