Practical
Plants

Periploca graeca

Silk Vine

a deciduous member of the Periploca genus in the family Asclepiadaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
9 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The sap and the fruit is poisonous[2][3][5].

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.

Cardiac, diuretic, stimulant, tonic.[8][10].

Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Woods, thickets and riverbanks[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no 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 - sow spring in a cold frame[4]. 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 roots in the spring as soon as new growth commences[2][11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm at a node or preferably with a heel, singly in pots of sand[2]. Fair to good percentage[11]. Layering in September/October. Takes 6 months. High percentage[11].

Cultivation

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

Easily grown in any fertile soil in a sunny position[2][3]. Succeeds in sandy soils[4]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy in most parts of Britain[1]. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[3][6]. Plants do not normally require pruning[6]. The powerful scent of the flowers is considered to be unpleasant by some people[4] and pleasant by others[7].

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. 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↩3

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

    ↩

  6. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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