Practical
Plants

Adenostoma sparsifolium

Redshank

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Adenostoma genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Seeds[6]. No further information is given. There are no edible uses listed for Adenostoma sparsifolium.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is cathartic[4]. The plant has been used externally in the treatment of arthritis[4]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds and chest complaints, and also as a mouth wash to treat toothaches[4]. An infusion of the dried leaves, or the branches, has been used in the treatment of stomach ailments, inducing either bowel movements or vomiting[4]. The crushed twigs have been mixed with oil and used as a salve[4].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is fibrous and has been stripped off the plants to make women's skirts[4]. The wood has been used to make fencing posts and as construction material[4]. The wood burns well, giving a high intensity heat[4].

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Southern California.
Habitat
Grows in chapparal at elevations of 300 - 2500 metres[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse or cold frame, planting them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings could be tried in August of half-ripe wood, preferably with a heel, in a frame. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sheltered sunny position in a well-drained soil[2][3] and protection from cold winds[3]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain and do not withstand exposure to prolonged winter frosts though they succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[2][3]. In colder areas they are best grown against a south or south-west facing wall[3]. The leaves are resinous and catch fire easily[1]. They have a pleasant aroma[3].

References

  1. Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. 1962-00-00

    ↩

  2. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  5. Flora of California www.calflora.org

    ↩

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)

    ↩

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