Polyscias sambucifolia ssp. 1

Elderberry Panax

Open to rounded large shrub or small tree, suckering to form colonies.

Additional information

• FamilyAraliaceae
• StoreyMiddle storey
• Size2-6 m x 2-4 m
• Plant groupingShrubs 1.5-10 m
• LeavesDivided leaves 5-30 cm long, no more than 5 pairs of leaflets. 5-11 dark to blue-green egg-shaped to broadly elliptic leaflets 9-20 cm x 3-17 mm, on short stalks.
• Flower colourCream to greenish-yellow
• Flowering timeNovember to February
• FlowersTerminal clusters of tiny flowers, clusters branched three times. Fleshy edible translucent mauve to blue fruit.
• Bird attractingFruit
• Butterfly attractingFood plant for caterpillars
• Frog habitatNo
• Growing conditionsMoist to wet soils, preferring some drainage in wet forests to rainforests from 100-1000 m. Dappled to semi shade.
• Garden useSuckering habit will form tall screening copse. Can be pruned. Suckers may be removed at the base.
• Commercially availableRarely
• Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions.
• Related speciesPolyscias sambucifolia ssp. 3 can be distinguished by the smaller leaves which have more than 6 pairs of leaflets.

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