Practical
Plants

Coriaria myrtifolia

Redoul

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.8 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 plant is very poisonous[1][3], the poison having the same effect as alcoholic intoxication.[13].

Material uses

A black dye and an ink is obtained from the leaves[3][2]. The bark can also be used[13], both the bark and the leaves are rich in tannin[9][11][4]. A fly poison is made from the crushed fruits[2].

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

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Dry woods, hedges and rocky places[10][13].
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

Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse[12]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[5]. 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[12].

Cultivation

Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position[3][7]. Succeeds in light shade[7]. Plants are hardy to about -5°c, succeeding outdoors in Britain from London and south-westwards[3][7]. The stems are often cut back by winter cold but the plants usually resprout from the base. This new growth does not flower in its first year[6]. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[8]. 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

    ↩

  2. Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  10. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  13. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page