Hydrangea serrata thunbergii
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hydrangea genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Genus
- Hydrangea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The young leaves, after fermentation[6], become very sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies[3][11][12]]. The leaves contain phellodulcin (its chemical formula is C16 H14 O), a very sweet substance that can be used as a sugar substitute[5][8]. The older leaves can be dried, powdered and used as a flavouring on foods[2][7]. The young leaves and shoots are also eaten cooked[2][7].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Sweetener
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Can be grown as a low hedge[10], it is quite wind tolerant.
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[4]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[13]. 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, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[13]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[9]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[13]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Tolerates most soil[9], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[3][9]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[9], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[3]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[9]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Plants are hardy to about -25°c when dormant but the young growth in spring can be killed by late frosts. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00