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Plants

Idesia polycarpa

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Idesia genus in the family Flacourtiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Idesia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
12 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[2][5]. The fruit is a many seeded berry with a pulpy flesh[7], it is about 10mm in diameter[8].

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Hills and mountain forests above elevations of 2000 metres[10][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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 - sow spring in a greenhouse[11]. Germination is usually very good[11]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their fist two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring, after the last expected frosts and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors[K]. Plants cannot be sexed until they flower[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage[11]. Layering in spring. Takes 12 months[11].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a neutral to slightly acid loamy soil, but tolerates a chalky sub-soil if the top soil is deep[8]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[6]. The dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c, though the tree is somewhat hardier if the wood is thoroughly ripened by a long hot summer[8]. The young shoots in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers have a most delicious perfume, which can be wafted far and wide by warm breezes[9]. Trees produce fruit regularly at Kew[4]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required. Female plants can produce some fruit in the absence of a male plant[4].

References

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

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

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  3. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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