Sambucus gaudichaudiana

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Sambucus gaudichaudiana
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:10'
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Sambucus gaudichaudiana (common name: white elderberry)

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[1][2][3]. 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[1].

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[1].

Cultivation: 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. The plant is more of a sub-shrub, producing annual shoots from a perennial rootstock[4]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Tolerates most soils, including chalk[5], but prefers a moist loamy soil[6][5]. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[6]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[5].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

Range: Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria.

Habitat: Cool shady places in wet sclerophyll and other open forests, river banks and damp rocks[7][8][9][4].

Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Juicy[7][10]. The fruit is a little sour but has a pleasant flavour[7]. Usually sweet, though some forms are bitter[9]. The fruit is small but is borne in large clusters, making it easy to harvest[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Flowers - raw or cooked.

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Wind: Tolerates strong winds

Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

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[11][12]. The fruit of many species (although no records have been seen for this species) has been known to cause stom

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  2. Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
  3. Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.
  8. Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Low, Tim. Wild Food Plants of Australia. Angus and Robertson, 1989.
  10. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  11. Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  12. Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.