Alangium chinense
| Alangium chinense | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 26' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Alangium chinense
Propagation: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring. When 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 in early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[1]. Requires full sun and a sheltered position[1].
Not very frost tolerant[1], this species is likely to be on the borderlines of hardiness even if obtained from its higher provenances[2]. However, although the top growth will be killed back in all but the mildest winters, the plant will usually resprout from the base in the spring and will usually flower in the summer[3]. These flowers are sweetly scented[3].
This species is closely related to A. platinifolium[1].
Although a fair sized tree in its native habitat, it is unlikely to make more than a shrub more than 2 metres tall in Britain[3]. It does not require pruning[3].
Range: E. Asia - India to C. China
Habitat: Upland thickets in W. China[4]. Open places around villages at elevations of 300 - 2400 metres in Nepal[5].
Medicinal: This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[6].
The roots and the stems are a blood tonic, carminative and contraceptive[4]. They are used in the treatment of rheumatism, numbness, traumatic injuries, wounds and snakebites[4]. A decoction of the leafy shoots is said to be tonic[6].
A paste of the roots is applied to the area around dislocated bones to help them setting[5].
The shoot, rootbark and whole plant are all used medicinally[6].
Usage: An oil extracted from the seeds is used for lighting lamps[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: A begoniifolia. Marlea begoniifolia. Stylidium chinense.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.