Schisandra repanda
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Schisandraceae
- Genus
- Schisandra
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Height
- 6 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[1][4]. Used in preserves or to make a tea[3][4].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Tea
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan, Korea.
- Habitat
- Woods all over Japan[7].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- 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[5][6]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[6]. 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][8]. Good percentage[8]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[5].
Cultivation
Prefers a rich well-drained moisture retentive soil[2][5]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[5]. Requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[5]. Plants are intolerant of drought[K]. This species has not been properly evaluated for hardiness in Britain but it will probably succeed outdoors in most parts of the country[2], especially if given the protection of a woodland or a wall[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00