About Polyscias sambucifolia (DC.) Harms
Commonly known as elderberry panax, Polyscias sambucifolia (DC.) Harms grows to 11 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 20 cm at Errinundra National Park and Otway National Park in Victoria, Australia. Its trunk is straight. The bark is dark brown or black, fairly smooth, and marked by lenticels, pustules and lines. The natural distribution of this species ranges from Cape Otway (38° S) in Victoria to the McPherson Range (28° S), on the border of New South Wales and Queensland. It is often found growing on the edge of rainforests. In its ecology, caterpillars of the elderberry panax leaf roller (Cryptoptila australana) feed on the leaves of this plant. Currawongs eat its fruit and disperse the plant’s seeds afterwards. This species is able to regenerate from root suckers after bushfire, and root suckering has also been recorded at other times. It can also colonize disturbed habitats. Elderberry panax has attractive foliage and fruit.
