Elderberry

Elderberry is the small, dark purple berry of the elder tree, most commonly Sambucus nigra, native to Europe and also found in North America and parts of Asia. The berries grow in drooping clusters and are used to make syrups, cordials, wine, jams and traditional cold and flu remedies, most notably elderberry syrup. Raw or unripe elderberries, along with the plant's leaves, stems and seeds, contain cyanogenic compounds and are considered unsafe unless properly cooked, so the fruit is almost always used cooked rather than eaten fresh off the plant.