Practical
Plants

Euonymus japonicus

Japanese Spindle Tree

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4.5 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The seed is probably poisonous, other parts of the plant may also be poisonous[18].

Edible uses

Young leaves - boiled[12][8][10]. The old leaves are powdered and used to colour food[3][8][10]. These reports should be treated with some caution due to the report of toxicity - see above.

Product or use
Colouring
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 stem bark is antirheumatic, diuretic and tonic[14]. The leaf is used in cases of difficult delivery[14].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

Roots and stems yield up to 7% gutta-percha, a non elastic rubber used as an electrical insulator and in making plastics etc[17][19][2]. Can be grown as a hedge, it is very tolerant of trimming and succeeds in severe maritime exposure[4][20][13].

Product or use
Latex

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan. Locally naturalized in S. Europe.
Habitat
Slopes in thickets and woods, especially near the sea[16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[6]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification, so should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame[5]. Seed can take 18 months to germinate[19]. 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, 5 - 7cm long taken at a node or with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy[13]. Cuttings of mature wood, October in a frame78, 113]. Cuttings will root readily at any time of the year if given bottom heat[1]. Root cuttings in winter.

Cultivation

Thriving in almost any soil, including chalk and sandy soils, it is particularly suited to dry shaded areas[13]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Shade tolerant but does not fruit well in such a position[4]. Prefers a well-drained loamy soil[4]. Plants are very tolerant of maritime exposure, succeeding even when grown on the sea shore[7], but they can be killed by cold drying winds[20][11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are a number of named varieties[11]. It is only hardy in S. England[4] tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[11]. Plants are more likely to succumb to the cold if they are regularly trimmed (this exposes young growth to the cold), this regular trimming also leads to mildew especially when plants are growing in very dry ground[9]. The Japanese spindle tree is cultivated in Russia and Spain for the latex contained in the root. It is best grown in a dry soil and an open position when being grown for its latex[17][19]. Plants are often slow to get established. Plants can be susceptible to attacks by caterpillars[9] and are often damaged during the flowering season[4]. They are also a host of the sugar beet fly[15]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[13].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  6. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 3. 1981 - 1982. Royal Horticultural Society 1981-00-00

    ↩

  7. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

  15. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  18. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  19. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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