Practical
Plants

Disporum cantoniense

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked. Used as a vegetable[6].

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.

The juice of the roots is used in the treatment of fevers[6].

Product or use
Febrifuge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas to China.
Habitat
Cool shady places at elevations of 1100 - 2900 metres in Nepal[6].
Shade tolerance
partial 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 - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[2]. Use a lime-free compost and keep it moist[2]. Stored seed requires 6 weeks cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[2]. Germination usually takes place within 3 - 6 months or more at 15°c[2]. 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. Division in spring[5].

Cultivation

Best grown in partial shade in a moist peaty or woodland soil[1][2]. Plants spread rapidly[4] by means of creeping rhizomes when they are grown in a leafy soil[3].

References

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

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  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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