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Polyscias sambucifolia

Common name:	Elderberry Panax	Family:	Araliaceae
Author:	(Sieber. ex Dc.)Harms.	Botanical references:	11, 200, 265
Synonyms:	Tieghemopanax sambucifolius ((Siebold.)R.Vig.), Panax sambucifolius (Siebold.), Nothopanax sambucifolius ((Siebold.)K.Koch.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Australia - Queensland, Victoria.
Habitat:	Wet and dry sclerophyll forests and the margins of rainforests[265].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Apiales. Ginseng family

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen shrub growing to 4.5m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Gum Hedge Wood.

Fairly fast growing and tolerant of shearing, this species can be grown as a hedge[200].
A gum similar to 'gum arabic' (which is obtained from various Acacia species) is obtained from this plant[64]. It is not wholly soluble[64].
Wood - too soft and perishable to be of economic value[154].

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep rich moist soil[1].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it can succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[1, 11]. It tolerates temperatures down to about -7° c in Australian gardens[157], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters.
A very ornamental plant[1]. The leaves are very variable[200].
A very variable species, closer investigation will probably reveal that it is comprised of a number of different species[265]. Some forms of this species produce suckers[157].
The plant has good wind-resistance[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Softwood cuttings in early summer root easily in a closed case[200].
Leafless stem cuttings in the summer root easily in a closed case[200].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Tieghemopanax sambucifolius (a possible synonym).

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.

References for the family Araliaceae.

[CHINA] Draft Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[64] Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.

[154] Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.

[157] Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
A lovely book, written in order to encourage Australian gardeners to grow their native plants. A little bit of information for the plant project.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[265] Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993 ISBN 0730104001
Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.