Chinese elder, Java elderberry, Himalayan elder
Sambucus javanica

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 70-100 cm high. The roots are fibrous. The bark is brown. The leaves are 6-12 cm long and 2.5-3 cm wide. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are small and round. They are red when ripe.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near streams and grasslands between 300-2,600 m above sea level in southern China. It grows by creeks and ponds and in humid areas. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. The fruit are also preserved, used in confectionary, or made into drinks. The stems, leaves and shoots are parboiled and eaten. The roots are parboiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, leaves, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Yunnan fruit are harvested from July to September.

Its other names

Local names

Chieh-ku-ts'ao, Debangqiongjie, Elderberi jawa, Galeni, Hoklati, Munongzi, Sangitan putih, Thuoc moi

Synonyms

Sambucus chinensis Lindl.;