Celastrus dependens
| Celastrus dependens | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Celastrus dependens
Propagation: Seed - gather when ripe, store in dry sand and sow February in a warm greenhouse[1]. Three months cold stratification leads to a higher germination rate[2]. Remove the aril since this inhibits germination[2]. Germination rates are usually good[1]. 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.
Layering in August of the current seasons growth. Takes 12 months[1].
Root cuttings, 6mm thick 25mm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a deep loamy soil[3]. A gross feeder, it requires a rich soil[3].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4].
A rampant climber, it requires ample space and is best grown into an old tree[5][4]. Fruits best when its top growth is in a sunny position[6].
Plants climb by means of twining and by hooked prickles[6]. They do not normally require pruning[7].
This species is closely related to C. scandens[4].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: E. Asia - S.W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat: Open moist places to elevations of 300 metres in Nepal[8].
Edibility: The young flowers are used as a vegetable[9].
Medicinal: The plant is used as an antidote to opium[10]. It is also considered to be analgesic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue, stimulant and tonic[10].
The bark is abortifacient[11]. The juice from the bark is used in the treatment of indigestion[8].
The seed is aphrodisiac, bitter, emetic, laxative and stimulant[11]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, leprosy, gout, fevers and paralysis[11][8].
The oil from the seed is a powerful stimulant. It is used in the treatment of beriberi[11].
Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity[10].
Usage: The seed contains 52% oil, and the fruit 30%[11]. This oil is used medicinally (see notes above), we do not know if it has any other applications[K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: C. paniculatus. Willd.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.