Coriaria microphylla
| Coriaria microphylla | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 4' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Coriaria microphylla
Propagation: Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. 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, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage[1].
Division in spring[3].
Cultivation: Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position[2][3]. Succeeds in light shade[3].
A very ornamental plant[4], it is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, such as S.W. England[4], where it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[3].
The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[5]. Whilst much of the nitrogen will be utilized by the growing plant, some of it will become available for other plants growing nearby[K].
Range: Southern S. America. New Zealand.
Habitat: Steep cliffs or terraces in the Andes[6]
Medicinal: The fruits are hallucinogenic[6]. When taken internally they provide sensations of flying[6].
Usage: A black ink is obtained from the leaves, it can also be used as a dye[7][8]. The bark can also be used, it is rich in tannin.
An effective ground cover plant, spreading by rhizomes to form a fern-like colony[3].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seed is poisonous[4]. The plant is toxic to grazing mammals[6]. Most, if not all members of this genus are poisonous, though it is said that the fruit is safe to eat[K]..
Also Known As: C. thymifolia. Humb.&Bonpl.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Emboden, William. Narcotic Plants. Studio Vista, 1979.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.