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Uses

Toxic parts

A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water[1]. See notes below regarding use of the plant for tea.

Edible uses

Notes

An aromatic tea-like beverage is brewed from the fresh or dried leaves[2][3][1][4]. Some reports say that boiling or steeping can extract a harmful toxin 'andromedotoxin' and it is recommended that the leaves are put in a jar of water and left in a sunny position to brew in order to make 'sun-tea'[1].

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Chamaedaphne calyculata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A poultice of the leaves has been applied to inflammations[4]. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat fevers[4].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow February in a lime-free compost in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[5]. Do not allow the compost to dry out and keep the pot in a shady position. Germination is usually fair, taking 1 - 12 months at 15°c, though 4 weeks cold stratification may reduce this time[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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[6].

Cuttings of almost ripe side-shoots, 4 - 5cm long with a heel, August in a frame. A variable degree of success[5]. It can help to prune the plants lightly after flowering in order to encourage vigorous growth from which to take the cuttings[5].

Layering in August. Takes 18 months. High percentage[5].

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



Cultivation

Thrives in a moist well-drained lime-free soil in sun or semi-shade[7][8]. Best if given some protection from the midday sun[7].

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[9]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value. 'Nana' is a dwarf compact form that is good for shady areas[1].

The flowers have a delicate refreshing scent[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Chamaedaphne calyculata. 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 Chamaedaphne calyculata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Chamaedaphne calyculata
Genus
Chamaedaphne
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
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
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
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
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Chamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Chamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    "image:Chamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    10. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    11. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
    12. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Chamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Chamaedaphne calyculata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEricaceae +
    Belongs to genusChamaedaphne +
    Has binomial nameChamaedaphne calyculata +
    Has common nameLeather Leaf +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useTea +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageChamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.75 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiphlogistic + and Febrifuge +
    Has primary imageChamaedaphne calyculata (2).jpg +
    Has search namechamaedaphne calyculata + and leather leaf +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid + and Acid +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameChamaedaphne calyculata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    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.Chamaedaphne calyculata +, Chamaedaphne calyculata + and Chamaedaphne calyculata +