Rhaphiolepis umbellata
Japanese Hawthorn
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Rhaphiolepis genus in the family Rosaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Rhaphiolepis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Spread
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - used as a flour[2]. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[5].
- Plant part
- Seed
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be used for informal hedging in areas that are frost free or almost so[8]. A brown dye is obtained from the bark[11][13].
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Thickets near the seashore, C. and S. Japan[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a warm greenhouse[14]. Stored seed should be sown in February/March in a warm greenhouse[14]. Germination is variable[14]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5cm with a heel, September/October in a frame. Fair percentage[14][4]. Layering[8].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile loam or peaty soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[3][8]. Prefers a position in light shade[9]. An easily grown plant but it is intolerant of dry cold[7]. Judging by its habitat, it should be fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[12]. Plants are tolerant of sea spray[10]. Tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c[8], it is normally hardy at Kew[1]. A polymorphic species[12], there are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[8]. The plant bears honey-scented hawthorn-like blossoms[10]. Plants do not require pruning[6]. They are of slow to moderate growth rate[9]. Plants resent root disturbance and so are best grown in pots and then planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
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
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00