Taiwan elder
Sambucus formosana

Family: Adoxaceae

What it is like

A herb that has stems that are woody at the base. It grows 2-3 m high. The young branches are smooth and 4-6 mm across. The leaves are opposite and compound. They have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 12-30 cm long. The leaflets are alternate and sword shaped. They are 10-15 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are oblique at the base. There are rounded teeth. The leaves are papery. The flowers are white but turn yellow. They are in large groups at the ends of branches. These are 15-20 cm across. These have bright red glands. The fruit are like berries and oval and orange, They are 2.5 cm across and juicy. There are 3 woody stones inside.

Also put in the family Sambucaceae.

Where it is found

It is native to Taiwan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Taiwan

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ebulum formosana (Nakai) Nakai;