Loropetalum chinense
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Loropetalum genus in the family Hamamelidaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hamamelidaceae
- Genus
- Loropetalum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 2 m
- Spread
- 1.2 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
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.
The whole plant is depurative, haemostatic and pectoral[2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughing in tuberculosis, dysentery, enteritis etc[2][7]. The leaves can be crushed and pulverised for external application on wounds[2].
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Pectoral
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas to China and Japan.
- Habitat
- Rocky hills and dry open woods, often on limestone[4][10]. Stream banks, hilly slopes and roadsides[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring[5]. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[6]. Fair to good percentage[12]. Layering in the spring[5].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a rich well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or light shade[5]. Requires a lime-free humus-rich soil[3]. One report says that it succeeds on a sheltered north wall[3] whilst another says that it needs a sunny position[8] and another says it needs warm summers[10]. Prefers a cool root run[3]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, it is also slow growing[4]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[4]. Plants do not flower well if the temperature drops below 5°c[6]. The Japanese form of this species might be hardier[1]. Plants grow taller in their native habitat, reaching a height of 3 metres[6]. The flowers emit a delicate sweet perfume[9]. Some named forms have been developed in Japan for their ornamental value[3].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00