Sambucus gaudichaudiana

Sambucus gaudichaudiana, commonly known as white elderberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Adoxaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a perennial shrub but with stems that are produced annually with pinnate leaves that have three to eleven leaflets, small white flowers and small but edible fruit. It grows in cool forest and shady gorges.

Description

A low shrub. It grows about 1-3.5 m high. It has soft, hollow branches. It is soft wooded at the base. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 5-9 leaflets. The leaflets are 5-15 cm long and have teeth along their edge. The flowers are white. They occur in clusters in a much branched head. The fruit are pale yellow and round and fleshy.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked; it is juicy, slightly sour but pleasant, and usually sweet, though some forms are bitter. The fruit is small but is borne in large clusters, making harvesting easy. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity. The flowers can also be eaten raw or cooked.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are cooked and are sweet and eaten. They are also used for jam.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

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. 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.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on limestone outcrops. It also grows in fern gullies. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Tolerates most soils, including chalk, but prefers a moist loamy soil. Tolerates some shade but is best in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in autumn in a cold frame, where it should germinate in early spring. Stored seed sown in spring will germinate more reliably after 2 months of warm followed by 2 months of cold stratification. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough; if growth is strong, plant out in early summer, otherwise hold in a sheltered nursery bed or pots and plant out the following spring. Half-ripe cuttings of 7–10cm with a heel can be taken in July or August in a frame. Hardwood cuttings of 15–20cm with a heel from the current season's growth can be taken in late autumn in a frame or sheltered outdoor bed.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are about 25 Sambucus species. Also put in the family Sambucaceae and Caprifoliaceae.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

VERY TOXIC

Pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

Jakec

Safe

White elderberry

Sambucus gaudichaudiana

(c) Reiner Richter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)

Pokeweed: Thick red/purple herbaceous stems (no bark), berries in a line (raceme), simple large leaves, large white taproot.

White elderberry: Woody bark, berries in broad flat clusters (cymes), compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets.

Also Known As

Burne-burne

References (17)

• Bonney, N., 2012, Edible Wild Native Plants for Southern Australia. p 110
• Cameron, M., (Ed.) 1981, A Guide to Flowers & Plants of Tasmania. Reed p 54
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 196
• Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 56
• Curtis, W.M., 1963, The Students Flora of Tasmania Vol 2 p 265

More from Adoxaceae

Viburnum erubescens gracilipes

Viburnum farreri

Fragrant Viburnum

Viburnum foetens

Viburnum fordiae

Viburnum furcatum

Viburnum glomeratum

Chinese watfaring tree