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Sambucus javanica - Rein.

Common Name Chinese Elder
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some, if not all, members of this genus are poisonous[9, 76]. The fruit of many species (although no records have been seen for this species) has been known to cause stomach upsets to some people. Any toxin the fruit might contain is liable to be of very low toxicity and is destroyed when the fruit is cooked[65, 76].
Habitats Wild areas on village outskirts and wasteland[147].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Sambucus javanica Chinese Elder


Sambucus javanica Chinese Elder

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Sambucus javanica is a deciduous Shrub. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit  Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[183]. The fruit is small but is borne in large clusters and is thus easy to harvest. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked. Leaves and young stems - cooked[183]. It is probably unwise to eat the leaves, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked[183]. Is it poisonous?

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.
Anodyne  Antiphlogistic  Depurative  Diuretic  Purgative  Skin

The leaves and the root are used in the treatment of pain and numbness, bone diseases and rheumatic problems[147, 218]. The fruit is depurative and purgative[218]. A decoction of the fruit is used to treat injuries, skin diseases and swellings[147, 218]. A decoction of the whole plant is anodyne, depurative and diuretic[147, 218, 240]

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is only likely to be hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. There is some confusion over the true identity of this plant. Some authorities suggest that this name is a synonym of S. chinensis, and we also have two different authors for the name of this species, the name mentioned above, from [147], and also Blume, which is mentioned in [146]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Tolerates most soils, including chalk[200], but prefers a moist loamy soil[1, 200]. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first[78, 98, 113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with a heel, late autumn in a frame or a sheltered outdoor bed[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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
Sambucus australasicaYellow ElderberryShrub6.0 9-10  LMHSNM202
Sambucus caeruleaBlue ElderShrub3.0 4-8 MLMHSNDM423
Sambucus chinensisChinese ElderPerennial1.5 7-10  LMHSNM211
Sambucus ebulusDwarf Elder, Dwarf elderberryPerennial1.2 4-8 FLMHSNM123
Sambucus gaudichaudianaWhite ElderberryShrub3.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Sambucus latipinna Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Sambucus melanocarpaBlack Elder, Rocky Mountain elderShrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNM22 
Sambucus mexicanaMexican ElderShrub1.0 3-9  LMHSNM212
Sambucus microbotrysRed ElderShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Sambucus nigraElderberry - European Elder, Black elderberry, American black elderberry, Blue elderberry, EuropeaShrub6.0 5-10 FLMHSNM435
Sambucus nigra spp canadensisAmerican ElderShrub4.0 3-9 FLMHSNM433
Sambucus pubensAmerican Red ElderShrub4.0 4-8  LMHSNM311
Sambucus racemosaRed Elder, Red elderberry, Rocky Mountain elder, European Red ElderberryShrub3.0 3-7 MLMHSNM322
Sambucus racemosa kamtschaticaRed ElderShrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM322
Sambucus racemosa sieboldiana Shrub4.0 0-0 MLMHSNM102
Sambucus racemosa var. racemosaRed Coast ElderShrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNM322
Sambucus wightianaElderPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Sambucus williamsii Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM121

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.

 

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Subject : Sambucus javanica  
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