Practical
Plants

Kadsura japonica

an evergreen member of the Kadsura genus in the family Schisandraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Kadsura
Foliage
evergreen
Height
3.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[2]. The fruit is up to 6mm long[6].

Plant part
Fruit

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.

A decoction of the dried fruits is bechic, stomachic and tonic[5].

Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - southern China, central and southern Japan.
Habitat
Climbs trees in woodlands[9]. Forests and slopes at elevaions of 500 - 2000 metres in Fujian and Taiwan Provinces, China[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown when it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in early summer and give some protection for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring[1][10]. Good percentage[10]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[4].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any fertile garden soil[3]. Requires a sheltered position in a moderately fertile well-drained neutral to acid soil[4]. Prefers a position in semi-shade[6]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it succeeds when grown against a sunny wall in the milder areas of the country[3]. The flowers emit a soft sweet perfume[7]. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth[6]. Plants do not really require pruning[6]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required[3].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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