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Dirca palustris
  • Leather Wood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Dirca genus in the family Thymelaeaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Dirca palustris has 0 material uses listed
Dirca palustris has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Contact with the plant can cause severe dermatitis with redness, blistering and sores in some people[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Dirca palustris.

Material uses

The tough flexible shoots are used in basket making and as a tying material[2][3][4][5][6].

A rope can be made from the bark fibres[2][3][5][7]. The bark fibres are also used in making paper[8]. The stems are harvested in summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The outer and inner barks are separated by scraping or peeling. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours or less with soda ash and then beaten with mallets or put through a blender. The paper is greenish cream in colour[8].

A compound infusion of the roots has been used as a wash to strengthen the hair and make it grow[9].

Unknown part

Basketry
Fibre
Hair care
Paper
String

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Leatherwood was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a wide variety of ailments[9]. It is little used in modern herbalism and any use should be carried out with caution since even minute doses can cause salivation and burning of the tongue[1].

A tea made from the bark is laxative[1]. Another report says that it is purgative and emetic, and can produce violent vomiting[10][9]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of pulmonary problems[9]. A decoction of the branches has been applied as a poultice to swellings on the limbs[9].

The plant is a folk remedy for toothaches, facial neuralgia and paralysis of the tongue, venereal disease, and has also been used to try and induce pregnancy[1][9].

Unknown part

Emetic
Laxative
Pectoral
Poultice
VD

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[11]. Remove the fruit flesh since this can inhibit germination[11]. Dried seed will require 2 - 3 months cold stratification[11]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Dirca palustris. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Thrives in a moist peaty soil[2][3] and a sheltered position[12]. Prefers a reasonably moist humus-rich limy soil according to another report[13].

The flowers are produced in early spring and they are often damaged by frost[2][14]. They have a soft sweet perfume[15].

The species D. occidentalis A.Gray. is very closely related to this plant[14], so it might have the same uses[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Dirca palustris. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Dirca palustris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Dirca palustris
Genus
Dirca
Family
Thymelaeaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[9][1][10]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Botanic
[3][4][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.8 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press (1988-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. (1991-00-00)
    13. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    15. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

    "image:Dirca palustris - Edwards.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Dirca_palustris&oldid=76907"
    Facts about "Dirca palustris"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyThymelaeaceae +
    Belongs to genusDirca +
    Has binomial nameDirca palustris +
    Has common nameLeather Wood +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageDirca palustris - Edwards.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Fibre +, Hair care +, Paper + and String +
    Has mature height1.8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useEmetic +, Laxative +, Pectoral +, Poultice + and VD +
    Has primary imageDirca palustris - Edwards.jpg +
    Has search namedirca palustris + and leather wood +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameDirca palustris +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris +, Dirca palustris + and Dirca palustris +