Practical
Plants

Mitchella undulata

a perennial evergreen member of the Mitchella genus in the family Rubiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit. Not very well-flavoured[5].

Plant part
Fruit

Material uses

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

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a shady position[4]. Especially good on a peat terrace or in a woodland[5]. Plants form a spreading carpet, rooting along the stems, and are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[6].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan, S. Korea.
Habitat
Woody hillsides on sandy substrates[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
very acid, 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 - it germinates better if given 3 months cold stratification and so it is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[3]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Make sure that all the fruit pulp is removed from the seed because it contains germination inhibitors[3]. 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. Division of naturally layered stems in the spring[5]. Cuttings.

Cultivation

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

Requires a moist but well-drained lime-free soil and some shade[2]. Prefers a peaty soil[1][5], succeeding in neutral to acid soils[5].

References

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

    ↩

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

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  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

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