Elderberry panax, Ornamental Ash
Polyscias sambucifolia

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 4-10 m high and spreads 3-6 m wide. It often has suckers from the roots. It can form large colonies. The bark is black and with pimples in lines. The leaves are 4-35 cm long by 4-15 cm wide. The leaves are blue-green. They can be entire or divided once or twice. There are 5-21 leaflets which are 4-20 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They are sword shaped or deeply lobed. The flowers are 0.4 cm across and yellow-green. They occur in open groups about 12 cm long. The fruit is about 0.6 cm long and ribbed.

There are about 100 Polyscias species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate to tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and coastal woodland. It grows in acid soils. It is best in shaded locations. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants spread by layering.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Tieghemopanax sambucifolius (Sieber ex DC.) R.Vig; Tieghemopanax multifidus N.A.Wakef.;