Polyscias sambucifolia
| Polyscias sambucifolia | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 15' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Polyscias sambucifolia (common name: elderberry panax)
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[1].
Leafless stem cuttings in the summer root easily in a closed case[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a deep rich moist soil[2].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it can succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[2][3]. 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[2]. The leaves are very variable[1].
A very variable species, closer investigation will probably reveal that it is comprised of a number of different species[5]. Some forms of this species produce suckers[4].
The plant has good wind-resistance[1].
Range: Australia - Queensland, Victoria.
Habitat: Wet and dry sclerophyll forests and the margins of rainforests[5].
Usage: Fairly fast growing and tolerant of shearing, this species can be grown as a hedge[1].
A gum similar to 'gum arabic' (which is obtained from various Acacia species) is obtained from this plant[6]. It is not wholly soluble[6].
Wood - too soft and perishable to be of economic value[7].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Panax sambucifolium. Nothopanax sambucifolium. Tieghemopanax sambucifolius
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.