Yellow Elderberry

Sambucus australasica

Physical Characteristics

Sambucus australasica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). 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.

Distribution

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A sweetish taste[154, 193]. The fruit is juicy with a mild pleasant flavour[144]. Some forms are bitter[193]. The fruit is quite small but is borne in large clusters and is easy to harvest. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves and stems of some 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].