Practical
Plants

Berchemia racemosa

a deciduous member of the Berchemia genus in the family Rhamnaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit[3]. The ripe fruit is eaten[5]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[7]. Leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[1][3][5]. The leaves are a tea substitute[3][5].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Thickets in low mountains[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[7]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[7]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November to January in a frame. Root cuttings in winter[7]. Layering of young stems in winter[7].

Cultivation

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

Requires a good moist well-drained loam, succeeding in full sun if the soil does not dry out otherwise it is best in light shade[2][7]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7]. Plants climb by means of twining around supports[4]. They are useful for covering walls, fences and tree stumps[6]. The fruit is only produced after a hot summer[4][8]. Plants do not normally require pruning[8].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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