Rhamnus japonica
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Rhamnus genus in the family Rhamnaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus
- Rhamnus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
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.
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, there is the suggestion that some members of this genus could be mildly poisonous[12].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves[1][4]. No more details but some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
- 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.
Febrifuge, laxative, skin[9][11][5]. The fruit and the bark are emetic and laxative[7].
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Skin
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A green dye is obtained from the branches[5]. Wood - close grained. Used for furniture[9][11].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Found all over Japan[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- 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 - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification at about 5° and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed[6]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[2]. A polymorphic species[10]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394