Practical
Plants

Symplocos sumuntiia

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Symplocos genus in the family Symplocaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked. A sweetish/sour taste[5]. The leaves are also used as a food colouring and a flavouring[4]. Seed[5]. No more details are given.

Product or use
Colouring
Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

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 dysentery[9].

Product or use
Miscellany

Material uses

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

A purplish/black dye is obtained from the plant, it does not require a mordant[5]. No more details are given, the dye is probably obtained from the leaves[K]. A decoction with ginger is used as a parasiticide and is effective against fleas[5][8]. The part used is not specified[K]. We have no specific information for this species but many species in this genus contain alum and can be used as mordants when dyeing[3].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Mordant
Product or use
Parasiticide

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Woods, 1000 - 1300 metres in W. Hupeh[1]. Mixed forests at elevations of 100 - 1800 metres[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
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 a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame in late winter, it can take 12 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a cold frame[11][7]. Roots are formed in about 4 weeks. Good percentage[11].

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained fertile neutral to acid soil[6][7]. Self-sterile, it needs cross-pollination with a different plant in the same species if seed and fruit are to be produced[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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

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  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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

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  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩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

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

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  10. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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

    ↩1↩2

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