Practical
Plants

Callicarpa japonica

Beautyberry

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

The leaves are a tea substitute[4][6].

Product or use
Tea

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Manchuria..
Habitat
A pioneer species of cut-over lands[9]. Mixed forests on mountain slopes or in valleys at elevations of 200 - 900 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow February in a greenhouse[10]. Only just cover the seed[3]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 18°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10cm long, July/August in a frame. High percentage[10]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth with a heel[10] taken in early spring[7].

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position or light dappled shade[2][7]. Prefers a highly fertile well-drained loamy soil[2][7]. This species is only really hardy in the milder parts of Britain, requiring a warm sunny corner[2][5], though some forms should prove to be hardier. A very ornamental[1] and polymorphic species[9]. Requires cross-pollination for good fruit production[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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