Elderberry Panax (Polyscias sambucifolia)

Taxonomy and growth

Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Polyscias
Life cycle: perennial
Foliage: evergreen
Woodiness: woody
Growth rate: moderate
Height: 4.5 m
Flower type: hermaphrodite

Uses

Material uses

Fairly fast growing and tolerant of shearing, this species can be grown as a hedge^[5]. A gum similar to 'gum arabic' (which is obtained from various Acacia species) is obtained from this plant^[7]. It is not wholly soluble^[7]. Wood - too soft and perishable to be of economic value^[3].

Product or use: Gum

Product or use: Wood

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range: Australia - Queensland, Victoria.
Habitat: Wet and dry sclerophyll forests and the margins of rainforests^[6].
Light: full sun
Shade tolerance: light shade
Water: moderate
Hardiness: Zone 9+
Soil textures: sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH: acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances: high wind
Wind: Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil: No
Drought: intolerant

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^[5]. Leafless stem cuttings in the summer root easily in a closed case^[5].

Cultivation

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]^[2]. It tolerates temperatures down to about -7°c in Australian gardens^[4], 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^[5]. A very variable species, closer investigation will probably reveal that it is comprised of a number of different species^[6]. Some forms of this species produce suckers^[4]. The plant has good wind-resistance^[5].

Aralia chinensisChinese Angelica Tree
Aralia continentalisManchurian Spikenard
Aralia cordataUdo
Aralia elataJapanese Angelica Tree

References

F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
↩1 ↩2 ↩3
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
↩
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
↩
Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0
↩1 ↩2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
↩1 ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001
↩1 ↩2
Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber
↩1 ↩2