Practical
Plants

Skimmia laureola

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Skimmia genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Skimmia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

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.

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

A poisonous alkaloid called 'skimmianin' is found in all parts of the related S. japonica, it is probably also present in this species[10].

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked. Used as a condiment[13]. The strongly aromatic leaves are used in curries or as a flavouring for other foods[4][5][6].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

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

The leaves are used in the treatment of smallpox[11]. The smoke produced by burning them is said to purify the air[11].

Material uses

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

An essential oil in the leaves is used in scenting soap[15][11][13]. The dried leaves are used as an incense[15][3][10]. The fresh leaves are used to make garlands for weddings[10]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way[9]. Wod - used to make handles of small farming implements such as hoes and axes[13].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas to N. China.
Habitat
An undershrub in rocky places in oak and fir forests, 2400 - 3600 metres from C. Nepal to N. China[14][4][7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light 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

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

Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[K]. It also succeeds when sown in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If there is sufficient seed then it can be sown can be in an outdoor seedbed in early spring[8]. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for a couple of years before planting them out in late autumn or early spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a cold frame[2]. Cuttings of nearly mature side shoots, 7 - 10cm with a heel, September in a cold frame. Slow to root, they should be left for 18 months before moving to their permanent positions. Good percentage[16]. Layering in autumn. Takes 18 months. Good to high percentage[16].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained open loam or in a peaty soil in a sunny position[1]. Probably flowers well in the shade[2]. Plants are very tolerant of atmospheric pollution, being unharmed by deposits of soot or a sulphur-laden atmosphere[12]. This species is not very frost-hardy and so is rather tender in much of Britain[1]. The flowers are sweetly scented[7]. The small yellow flowers are oppressively scented, giving a somewhat unpleasant smell near to, though agreeable at a distance[12]. The bruised leaves are strongly aromatic[12]. The plant is superficially similar to Daphne cannabina and is often mistaken for that species[10]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  10. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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