Practical
Plants

Coriaria microphylla

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Coriaria genus in the family Coriariaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The seed is poisonous[1]. The plant is toxic to grazing mammals[4]. Most, if not all members of this genus are poisonous, though it is said that the fruit is safe to eat[K]..

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 fruits are hallucinogenic[4]. When taken internally they provide sensations of flying[4].

Product or use
Hallucinogenic

Material uses

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

A black ink is obtained from the leaves, it can also be used as a dye[7][2]. The bark can also be used, it is rich in tannin. An effective ground cover plant, spreading by rhizomes to form a fern-like colony[5].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Tannin

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
Southern S. America. New Zealand.
Habitat
Steep cliffs or terraces in the Andes[4]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
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/March in a greenhouse[8]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[3]. 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, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage[8]. Division in spring[5].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position[3][5]. Succeeds in light shade[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, such as S.W. England[1], where it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[5]. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[6]. Whilst much of the nitrogen will be utilized by the growing plant, some of it will become available for other plants growing nearby[K].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  7. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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