Practical
Plants

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus

Ukogi

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
3 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Young leaves - cooked[10][12][5]. A delicious somewhat fragrant flavour[1][6]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[6].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

Material uses

The plant is used as a hedge[7].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Escaped from cultivation in Japan, where it grows wild in calcareous soils[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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[7]. It can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification[3] and can be very slow to germinate[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3][7]. Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame[8]. Root cuttings in late winter[7]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[7].

Cultivation

Prefers a light warm open loamy humus-rich soil and a position sheltered from north and east winds[2][7]. Prefers a well-drained soil and full sun[7]. Thrives in sun or shade according to another report. Tolerates urban pollution and poor soils[7]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[7]. Cultivated as a medicinal and culinary plant in Japan[11], there are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[7].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

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  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

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  9. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

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  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  11. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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