Practical
Plants

Callicarpa macrophylla

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Callicarpa genus in the family Verbenaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw. The white spongy fruit is sweet and succulent when fully ripe[9]

Plant part
Fruit

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 leaves are heated and applied as a poultice to ease the pain of rheumatic joints[7][9]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[9]. A juice made from the leaves mixed with equal portions of Drymaria diandra and Oxalis corniculata is used in the treatment of gastric troubles[9]. The root is chewed to relieve rashes on the tongue[9]. A paste made from the roots is used to treat fevers[9]. The juice of the root is used to treat indigestion[9]. An oil obtained from the roots is aromatic and stomachic[7]. It is assumed that this is an essential oil[K]. The inner bark is pounded and used as a poultice on cuts and wounds[9]. The fruits are chewed to treat boils on the tongue[9]. The juice of ripe fruits is used in the treatment of indigestion and fevers[9].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

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

Wood - soft[4]. It is used as a fuel[9].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Swampy localities and ravines[4]. Waste places and roadsides to 1800 metres[3]. Mixed forests at elevations of 100- 2000 metres in China[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
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 February in a greenhouse[10]. Only just cover the seed[2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 18°c[2]. 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[6].

Cultivation

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

Requires a sunny position or light dappled shade[1][6]. Prefers a highly fertile well-drained loamy soil[1][6]. This species is only likely to be hardy in the very mildest parts of Britain, requiring a warm sunny corner[1][5]. Requires cross-pollination for good fruit production[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  4. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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