Sambucus javanica
Chinese Elder
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Sambucus genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Sambucus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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][7]. 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[6][7].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[3]. 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[3]. It is probably unwise to eat the leaves, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - cooked[3]. Is it poisonous?
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and the root are used in the treatment of pain and numbness, bone diseases and rheumatic problems[2][4]. The fruit is depurative and purgative[4]. A decoction of the fruit is used to treat injuries, skin diseases and swellings[2][4]. A decoction of the whole plant is anodyne, depurative and diuretic[2][4][5]
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Skin
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Wild areas on village outskirts and wasteland[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[8][10][1]. 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[8]. 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[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[13], and also Blume, which is mentioned in[12]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Tolerates most soils, including chalk[14], but prefers a moist loamy soil[11][14]. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[11]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[14].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[14].
References
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5