Practical
Plants

Forsythia suspensa

Lian Qiao

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Forsythia genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
5 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Self sterile, 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.

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

Leaves contain the glycoside Phillyrin[9], its potency is unknown.

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked[1][7][9]. Some caution is advised due to the presence of a glycoside[9]. The leaves are rich in rutin[15].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Rutin

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.

Lian Qiao has been used in Chinese herbalism for over 4,000 years and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[15]. A bitter tasting pungent herb with an antiseptic effect, it is chiefly used to treat boils, carbuncles, mumps and infected neck glands[18]. The fruit is a bitter astringent herb that stimulates the heart, nervous system and gall bladder[17]. It contains vitamin P, which is used to strengthen capillaries[17]. The fruit is also antidote, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[3][4][5][6][8][15][17]. It is used internally in the treatment of acute infectious diseases such as mumps, and also for tonsillitis, urinary tract infections allergic rashes etc[17]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for use in decoctions[17]. The plant has a similar action to Lonicera japonica and is usually used in combination with that species to achieve a stronger action[6]. The flowers have a broad-spectrum antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, haemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Bacillus typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc[6]. The plant is vermifuge, though the part used is not stated[3][4][5][8]. The leaves are febrifuge and are also poulticed onto ulcerated glands and haemorrhoids[15]. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is used in the treatment of breast cancer[20]. The root is used in the treatment of cancer, colds, fever and jaundice[15].

Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

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

The sub-species F. suspensa sieboldii is a lax grower that roots freely where the branches touch the ground. It makes a very good tall ground cover when planted about 2.5 metres apart each way[14].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - E. China.
Habitat
Thickets, moors and cliffs, 300 - 1200 metres[2]. Thickets or grassy areas on slopes, valleys and gullies at elevations of 300 - 2200 metres[19].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 2 months[K]. 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 10 - 15cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Plant out in autumn or spring. A very high percentage, they root within 3 weeks[21]. Cuttings of mature wood in a sheltered outdoor bed. Good percentage[21]. Layering in spring or summer. Plants often self-layer[K].

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in all soil types[13] but prefers a rich soil. Succeeds in limey soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. It prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi shade though it is apt to get leggy if grown in the shade of trees[10]. Succeeds against a north-facing wall[16]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[11]. The flowers are produced quite early in the year and are frost-resistant[10]. Plants are medium to fast growing[13]. Flowers are produced on wood that is more than one year old[13]. Any pruning is best done after the plant has finished flowering[10]. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[10]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[12].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

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  13. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  15. 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↩4↩5

  16. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  19. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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

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  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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