Practical
Plants

Schisandra grandiflora

a deciduous member of the Schisandra genus in the family Schisandraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
6 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[6][1][3]. A pleasantly acid flavour[6], they make a nice dessert fruit[K]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in a grape-like bunch about 12cm long[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Mixed forests and shrubberies at elevations of 1700 - 3300 metres in the Himalayas[11][10].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
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[7][9]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[9]. Germination can be slow and erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for their first 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring[2][12]. Good percentage[12]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[7].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a rich well-drained moisture retentive soil[2][7]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[7]. Requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[7]. Prefers light shade but tolerates full sun if the soil is reliably moist and the roots are in shade[8]. Plants are intolerant of drought[K]. The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c[5], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants are of slow to moderate growth rate[8]. The shoots are semi-twining, but plants often require some support by tying the plant in[8]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Another report says that the plants are monoecious (male and female flowers are separate but are found on the same plant)[4].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  11. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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