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Hydrangea macrophylla

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hydrangea genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.

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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
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
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
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Very acid to Alkaline
    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
  • 5
    Zone 5
    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
Hydrangea macrophylla has 0 edible uses listed
Hydrangea macrophylla has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The young leaves, when dried and rubbed between the hands, become very sweet and are used to make a sweet tea called 'tea of heaven', it is used in Buddhist ceremonies[1]. The leaves contain phellodulcin (its chemical formula is C16 H14 O), a very sweet substance that can be used as a sugar substitute[2][1]. One small leaf is sufficient to sweeten a cup of tea[3]. The older leaves can be dried, powdered and used as a flavouring on foods[4][5]. The young leaves and shoots are also eaten cooked[4][5]. Young leaves contain the toxin hydrocyanic acid, this reduces as the leaves grow older, often to zero levels[3].

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Sweetener

Material uses

A useful hedging plant because of its vigorous growth. The Hortensias or mop-head cultivars are recommended[6].
There are no material uses listed for Hydrangea macrophylla.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves, roots and flowers are antimalarial, antitussive and diuretic[3][7]. They are said to be a more potent antimalarial than quinine, due to the presence of an alkaloid[7].

Unknown part

Antiperiodic
Antitussive
Diuretic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[8]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[9]. 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.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[9]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[6]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[9].

Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[6].

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



Cultivation

Tolerates most soil[6], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[10], but resenting dryness at the roots[11][6]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[6], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[11]. Prefers a shady position[10]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[6]. Plants also tolerate alkaline soils, though they become chlorotic on shallow soils over chalk[6]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil[6]. A very wind resistant plant when grown in mild areas[12].

Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c[13], though the young growth in spring is frost-tender[K]. A very ornamental plant and polymorphic species[6], there are many named varieties[13]. This species was named for a sterile (or 'mop head') cultivar so that the true species should really be referred to as H. macrophylla normalis[14]. Plants are cultivated for their leaves in China and Japan. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back into old wood if required[15].

This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Hydrangea macrophylla. 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 Hydrangea macrophylla.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Hydrangea macrophylla
Genus
Hydrangea
Family
Hydrangeaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[3][7]
Material uses & Functions
[6]
Botanic
[11][16][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
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
3 x 3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1986-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  6. ? 6.006.016.026.036.046.056.066.076.086.096.106.116.12 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.2 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)
  8. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  12. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
  14. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  15. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  16. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-58

"image:Hortensia June 2008-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Hydrangea_macrophylla&oldid=77818"
Facts about "Hydrangea macrophylla"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyHydrangeaceae +
Belongs to genusHydrangea +
Functions asHedge +
Has binomial nameHydrangea macrophylla +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves + and Unknown part +
Has edible useUnknown use + and Sweetener +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeBees +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imageHortensia June 2008-1.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height3 +
Has mature width3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntiperiodic +, Antitussive + and Diuretic +
Has primary imageHortensia June 2008-1.jpg +
Has search namehydrangea macrophylla +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameHydrangea macrophylla +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Hydrangea macrophylla +, Hydrangea macrophylla +, Hydrangea macrophylla +, Hydrangea macrophylla + and Hydrangea macrophylla +