Coriaria sinica
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Coriariaceae
- Genus
- Coriaria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 5 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.
The seed is poisonous[1][3] and so are the leaves[9]. Although we have no more information, it is reasonable to assume that all other parts of the plant are also toxic.
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or used as a beverage[3]. As pleasant as bilberries[6]. Use with great caution since most parts of the plant, including the seed[6], are probably very toxic and some reports suggest the fruit should not be used at all[3]. The roots are antirheumatic[9]. The plant is hallucinatory in small quantities[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.
The leaves are anodyne, antiphlogistic, febrifuge, depurative, poultice and vermifuge[4][9].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Hallucinogenic
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Vermifuge
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Grassy hills and river valleys to 1500 metres. Occasionally found at higher elevations in stony and arid areas[2].
- 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
Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse[10]. 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[10].
Cultivation
Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position[3][5][8]. Succeeds in light shade[8] This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c though it can resprout from the base if cut back by the cold[8]. This new growth does not flower in its first year[7]. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[9]. 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
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00