Practical
Plants

Myrsine semiserrata

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Myrsine genus in the family Myrsinaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Myrsine
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
4 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit[6][11][3].

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.

The fruit is used as an anthelmintic, especially in the treatment of tape worm[1][2][8]. It is also laxative and is used in the treatment of dropsy and colic[8]. The fruit contains 3% embelic acid and 1% quercitol, the seed contains 4.8% embelic acid and 1% quercitol[8]. These are the active ingredients that work as an anthelmintic[8]. A gum obtained from the plant is used as a warming remedy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea[8]. A decoction of the leaf is used as a blood purifier[8].

Material uses

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

Wood - compact, hard, heavy and handsome[2]. Used for construction[10]. It is usually too small for anything other than firewood, though it is sometimes used in carpentry[1].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to south-western China.
Habitat
Forests and shrubberies, especially in Nepal, to 2700 metres[11]. Broad-leaved forests, limestone hillsides, mountain slopes, roadsides, stream banksand sunny places 500 - 2700 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a semi-shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[12]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3 - 6cm long with a heel in individual pots, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[12].

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it is unlikely to succeed outdoors except in the mildest areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained fertile circum-neutral soil in full sun or semi-shade[7]. Dislikes shallow chalky soils[5]. Requires a sunny position according to another report[4]. Plants are very slow-growing[5]. Plants can be polygamous or dioecious. In general, it is best to grow male and female plants if seed is required[4].

References

  1. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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