Practical
Plants

Helwingia himalaica

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Helwingia genus in the family Cornaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cornaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked[2].

Plant part
Leaves

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas - C. Nepal to S.W. China.
Habitat
An undershrub of dense dark forests, especially in E. Nepal, 2100 - 2700 metres[5]. Woods and margins of woods at elevations of 1700 - 3000 metres in western China[4].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
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 - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in late winter. 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.

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Requires a sheltered position beneath a good tree canopy cover[3]. The flowers are produced on the midribs of the leaves[3]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

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

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

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

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

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  5. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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