Practical
Plants

Orixa japonica

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Orixa genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Orixa
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young leaves cooked[1][3]. Aromatic with a pleasant spicy odour[2].

Plant part
Leaves

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 plant is febrifuge[7].

Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

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

The plant can be grown as a hedge[2]. It forms a dense light green barrier within 5 years[6].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Woods, scrub and on cliffs, to 1300 metres[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - one report suggests sowing the seed outdoors in the spring[6]. If seed is in short supply we would recommend sowing it in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[9]. Fair percentage[9]. Root cuttings, 3cm long, December in a greenhouse. High percentage[9]. Removal of self-layered branches at any time in the dormant season[6].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any fertile soil in sun or part shade[4][6]. Survives in fairly dry shady conditions[6]. The leaves have a foetid smell[5]. They are distinctly and pleasantly aromatic according to another report[4] whilst another says that they release an orange-like pungency when pressed[8]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[4].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩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↩3

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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