Platycrater arguta
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Platycrater genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Genus
- Platycrater
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A tea is made from the leaves[4][2].
- Product or use
- Tea
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A useful and beautiful ground cover plant[3]. An infusion of the leaves is used by Buddhists to wash or baptise statues of the Buddha[1].
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan.
- Habitat
- Humid rocks[1]. Sparse forests or thickets in valleys, stream banks and mountain slopes at elevations of 400 - 1800 metres in Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, China[6].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- 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 - we have no information for this species but suggest surface-sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm taken at a node or with a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[7]. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a moist position and some shade[5]. Grows well in a rock garden[5]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain[1], but they succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[3].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00