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Common Name: Chinese Elder

General Information

Sambucus javanica is a Deciduous Shrub
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

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[, ]. 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[, ].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Wild areas on village outskirts and wasteland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

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 [], and also Blume, which is mentioned in []. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Tolerates most soils, including chalk[], but prefers a moist loamy soil[, ]. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. 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[]. It is probably unwise to eat the leaves, see the notes above on toxicity.
Root - cooked[]. Is it poisonous?

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

None known

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[, , ]. 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, mid summer in a frame[].
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[].