Eleutherococcus innovans
Taka-No-Tsume
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Araliaceae
- Genus
- Eleutherococcus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 6 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[1].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame or greenhouse[2]. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. 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, July/August in a frame[2]. Root cuttings in late winter in a greenhouse[2]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[2].
Cultivation
Prefers a humus-rich well-drained soil in full sun[2]. Tolerates poor soils and atmospheric pollution[2]. Requires shelter from cold north and east winds[2]. Plants are hardy to between -10 and -15°c[2].
References
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of Japan www.foj.info
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00