Chinese Elder

Sambucus javanica

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.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

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?

Medicinal Uses

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]

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].