Sambucus wightiana
| Sambucus wightiana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Sambucus wightiana (common name: elder)
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.
Division in spring or autumn.
Cultivation: Tolerates most soils, including chalk[4], but prefers a moist loamy soil[5][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position[6]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations[4].
Range: E. Asia - N. India.
Habitat: Mountain pathways, 2200 - 3000 metres. in the Himalayas.
Medicinal: The plant has medicinal qualities[7]. No further details are given but these are the medicinal properties of the closely related S. ebulus:-
The leaves are antiphlogistic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and laxative[8][9][10][11][12][13]. The fruit is also sometimes used, but it is less active than the leaves[8]. The herb is commonly used in the treatment of liver and kidney complaints[8]. When bruised and laid on boils and scalds, they have a healing effect[8]. They can be made into a poultice for treating swellings and contusions[8]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[9].
The root is diaphoretic, mildly diuretic and a drastic purgative[8][9][10]. Dried, then powdered and made into a tea, it is considered to be one of the best remedies for dropsy[8][13]. It should only be used with expert supervision because it can cause nausea and vertigo[10].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh berries or the bark[10]. It is used in the treatment of dropsy[10].
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[10][14]. The fruit of many species (although no records have been seen for this species) has been known to cause stom
Also Known As: S. ebulus. Clarke. non L. S. gautschii. Wettst.
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Singh, Gurcharan and Premnath Kachroo. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1976.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.