Practical
Plants

Neolitsea sericea

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Neolitsea genus in the family Lauraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Lauraceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
6 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[4].

Product or use
Oil

Material uses

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

The oil obtained from the seed is also used in soap making and for burning[9].

Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Ravines, thickets and woodland from 300 - 1300 metres in W. China[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
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 as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[7]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse. 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. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[7]. Cuttings of mature basal hardwood of the previous seasons growth, mid to late winter in a frame[7].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any reasonably good well-drained soil[1][7]. A calcifuge plant, it requires a lime-free soil[7]. Requires a sheltered position[3] in full sun[7]. Succeeds in semi-shade[6]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[3][5] and even there is best grown on a south or west-facing wall[6]. The leaves are very aromatic[5]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[5].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. 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

  7. 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

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

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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