Practical
Plants

Daphniphyllum himalense

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Daphniphyllum genus in the family Daphniphyllaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

The very closely related D. macropodum is said to have edible leaves. Are the leaves of this species also edible cooked?[K]

Plant part
Leaves

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.

A paste of the wod is applied as a poultice to boils[7].

Product or use
Skin

Material uses

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

Wood - soft, close and even grained, very handsome. Used for turnery, carving etc[2][7]. The wood of the roots is especially handsome, it is deep red in colour[3].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Central and Eastern Himalayas to Northern Burma.
Habitat
Cool moist forests[6], shady ravines[3] and valleys alongside streams, 1200 - 3000 metres[2].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent 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 - sow spring in a cold frame[6]. 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 moderately ripened wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel or at a junction with old wood, July in individual pots in a frame. The cuttings are slow to root, give them brisk bottom heat[8]. Fair percentage[8]. Layering of current seasons growth, 12cm long in August/September. Takes 12 - 18 months. High percentage[8].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any good soil, tolerating lime but perhaps not suitable for very chalky soils[1]. A useful plant for moist shady positions[1]. Dislikes cold drying winds[6]. D. macropodum. Miq. is hardy at Kew and tolerates temperatures down to about -20°c[1][5]. It is very closely related to this species and is perhaps no more than a sub-species of it[1]. This species, however, is less hardy than D. macropodum[4]. The flowers have a pungent aroma[4]. They are produced in racemes on the previous year's wood[1]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page