We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Polyscias sambucifolia - (Sieber. ex Dc.)Harms.

Common Name Elderberry Panax
Family Araliaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wet and dry sclerophyll forests and the margins of rainforests[265].
Range Australia - Queensland, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polyscias sambucifolia Elderberry Panax


/www.flickr.com/photos/22616984@N07
Polyscias sambucifolia Elderberry Panax

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Polyscias sambucifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Panax sambucifolium. Nothopanax sambucifolium. Tieghemopanax sambucifolius

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Gum  Hedge  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].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales (east), Queensland (southeast), Victoria (east & south))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polyscias fruticosaMing Aralia, Chinese ArialaShrub2.5 10-12 SLMSNM224

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Sieber. ex Dc.)Harms.

Botanical References

11200265

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Maurice Wilkins   Wed Nov 3 22:01:22 2004

You mention that this plant is none too hardy in Britain. I have several plants in pots at the moment. Is it known to be in cultivation elsewhere now and if so, where that you know of?

Thanks,

Maurice Wilkins

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Polyscias sambucifolia  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.