About 30 species of Elderberry make up the genus Sambucus of the family Caprifoliaceae. Elderberry bushes can be found in most forested temperate or subtropical areas around the world. In horticulture, the bushes are often used as garden shrubs and are well known for their fruit, which is used to make wines, syrups, cordial, jellies, pies and also serves as a source of food for wildlife.

A lenticel is a loose aggregation of cells that penetrate the surface of a woody plant. Upon close inspection, it appears to be a blister-like break in the surface. These cells exchange gases between the atmosphere and the underlying tissues. Each lenticel becomes a pathway through which oxygen and other gases can diffuse to the living cells of the bark. Without sufficient oxygen, the cells of bark would die.

A number of varieties of the American elder (Sambucus canadensis), which grows up to eight feet tall (2.4 meters), have been cultivated for home or commercial use. The berries arrive after the clusters of white flowers and feature an array of colors including red, blue, black and yellow. The unopened flower buds can be pickled and used as a substitute for capers. Traditionally, the berries were used as a source of various violet dyes. Black dye was made from the bark, green dye from the leaves and dyes from the berries. All parts of the plant were, throughout various times and cultures, believed to have healing properties. Bark and root extracts were used as laxatives, leaf extracts were used as ointments for bruises and flower water was used in eye and skin lotions. In modern medicine, the flowers are used to reduce fevers and used as a diuretic and expectorant.