Disporum viridescens
a perennial member of the Disporum genus in the family Colchicaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Genus
- Disporum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - cooked[3].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
- Habitat
- Mountains, C. Japan[6].
- Light
- partial sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- 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 - 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Best grown in partial shade in a moist peaty or woodland soil[1][2]. Plants spread well by means of creeping rhizomes when they are grown in a leafy soil[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00