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Uses

Toxic parts

One report says that the plant is toxic but gives no more details[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Dichroa febrifuga.

Material uses

The wood is used as a fuel[2].
There are no material uses listed for Dichroa febrifuga.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[3].

The leaves are purgative[3]. They are used in the treatment of stomach cancer[3]. The juice of the leaves is used in Nepal to treat coughs, colds and bronchitis[2]. A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of fevers[3]. a decoction of the leaves is used to treat malarial fever[2].

The root is emetic, expectorant, febrifuge and purgative[4][5][6][1][7][3][8][2]. The juice of the root is used in Nepal to treat fevers and indigestion[2]. This plant is 26 times more powerful than quinine in the treatment of malaria but causes vomiting[7]. Substances in the plant are 100 times more powerful than quinine, but they are poisonous[3].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring and only just covering it. Do not allow the compost to dry out. 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. No details are given, we suggest trying in August with almost ripe wood in a frame.

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



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, succeeding in an open loamy soil[9]. The flowers vary in colour according to the type of soil they grow in, the best blue colour is formed when plants are in very acid soils[10].

One report says that this plant is probably not hardy outdoors in Britain[11] whilst another says that some provenances tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[10] and another report says that the forms in cultivation are only fully hardy in southern Cornwall[9]. This same report goes on to say that those forms probably do not belong to D. febrifuga in the strict sense[9].

This plant is cultivated in Russia as an anti-malarial herb[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Dichroa febrifuga. 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 Dichroa febrifuga.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Dichroa febrifuga
Genus
Dichroa
Family
Hydrangeaceae
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
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
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
    2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Dichroa febrifuga Glasgow.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dichroa febrifuga Glasgow.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Dichroa febrifuga Glasgow.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dichroa febrifuga Glasgow.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 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 Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 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)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

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