Practical
Plants

Eleutherococcus spinosus

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Eleutherococcus genus in the family Araliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Leaves and young budlings - cooked[12][13][1][4][6]. The dried leaves are a tea substitute[1][6]. Although we have no record of the seed being edible, it is said to contain 5.6 - 30.6% protein, 5.6 - 36.6% fat and 2.1 - 3.5% ash[9].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

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.

The cortex of the root is tonic and analgesic. It is used to treat general debility, rheumatic pains and many other complaints[7][9]. A wine made from the root is considered to be a general tonic for restoring vigour and restoring sexual potency[9].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

Plants can be used as a hedge[8].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, C. Japan.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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 as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[8]. 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[5]. 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][8]. Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame[10]. Root cuttings in late winter[8]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[8].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a light warm open loamy humus-rich soil and a position sheltered from north and east winds[2][8]. Prefers a well-drained soil and full sun[8]. Tolerates urban pollution and poor soils[8]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[8]. Considered to be a part of E. sieboldianus by some botanists, but this species has smaller leaves[8]. It is closely related to and often confused with E. divaricatus[8]. There is a spineless form of this species, known as Eleutherococcus spinosus inermis (Makino) H. Ohashi[11].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  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. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  8. 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↩11

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  11. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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