Practical
Plants

Rhamnus utilis

Chinese Buckthorn

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rhamnus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 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.

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[5].

Material uses

A green dye is obtained from the bark[3]. It is obtained from the leaves[1].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - E. and C. China, S. Japan.
Habitat
Roadsides and thickets in W. Hupeh, to 1600 metres[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed. Germination is usually good, at least 80% by late spring. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring.

Cultivation

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[2]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[4]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

References

  1. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  3. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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