Schisandra rubriflora
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Schisandraceae
- Genus
- Schisandra
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 6 m
- Spread
- 6 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[5][1][3]. Delicious[K]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in a grape-like bunch about 12cm long[6].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Forests and shrubberies to 3300 metres. in the Himalayas[9].
- 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
Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[6][8]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[8]. 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][10]. Good percentage[10]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[6].
Cultivation
Prefers a rich well-drained moisture retentive soil[2][6]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[6]. Requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[6]. Prefers light shade but tolerates full sun if the soil is reliably moist and the roots are in shade[7]. Plants are intolerant of drought[K]. The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c[4], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants are of slow to moderate growth rate[7]. The shoots are semi-twining, but plants often require some support buy tying the plant in[7]. 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
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
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
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00