Practical
Plants

Celastrus dependens

a deciduous member of the Celastrus genus in the family Celastraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

The young flowers are used as a vegetable[5].

Plant part
Flowers

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 used as an antidote to opium[7]. It is also considered to be analgesic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic[7]. The bark is abortifacient[9]. The juice from the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion[10]. The seed is aphrodisiac, bitter, emetic, laxative and stimulant[9]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, leprosy, gout, fevers and paralysis[9][10]. The oil from the seed is a powerful stimulant. It is used in the treatment of beriberi[9]. Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity[7].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

The seed contains 52% oil, and the fruit 30%[9]. This oil is used medicinally (see notes above), we do not know if it has any other applications[K].

Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S.W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Open moist places to elevations of 300 metres in Nepal[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - gather when ripe, store in dry sand and sow February in a warm greenhouse[11]. Three months cold stratification leads to a higher germination rate[3]. Remove the aril since this inhibits germination[3]. Germination rates are usually good[11]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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. Layering in August of the current seasons growth. Takes 12 months[11]. Root cuttings, 6mm thick 25mm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a frame[11].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a deep loamy soil[2]. A gross feeder, it requires a rich soil[2]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[6]. A rampant climber, it requires ample space and is best grown into an old tree[1][6]. Fruits best when its top growth is in a sunny position[4]. Plants climb by means of twining and by hooked prickles[4]. They do not normally require pruning[8]. This species is closely related to C. scandens[6]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  9. 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↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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