Nandina domestica
| Nandina domestica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Nandina domestica (common name: sacred bamboo)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[1]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible in a greenhouse. Germination is often poor[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 10 - 15cm long, July/August in a frame[3]. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in late spring. High percentage[3] but very slow[4].
Cuttings of mature wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, November in a frame[3]. Plant out the following autumn[3][2]. High percentage[3] but very slow[4].
Cultivation: Requires a deep rich moist soil in a sheltered sunny position[4][2]. Prefers a cool but sunny position[2].
A very ornamental plant, it only successful outdoors in Britain in favoured localities[5]. Grows well in Cornwall[6]. Tender when young[4], the shoot tips of mature plants can be damaged by hard frosts[2].
A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[7]. Untidy old stems on established plants can be pruned to the base in spring[8].
Cultivated for its fruit in China and Japan[9] ( does this refer to medicinal usage?). It does not fruit freely in Britain[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan and India.
Habitat: Ravines and valleys in mountains and warmer parts of C. and S. Japan[10].
Edibility: Fruit[9]. No further details are given, but another report says that the fruit is poisonous[11]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[2].
Young leaves - boiled[12]. The water must be changed at least once during the cooking[13].
Medicinal: The roots and stems are antitussive, astringent, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[11][14]. A decoction is used in the treatment of fever in influenza, acute bronchitis, whooping cough, indigestion, acute gastro-enteritis, tooth abscess, pain in the bones and muscles and traumatic injuries[11]. It is especially useful in the treatment of children's coughs[14]. There is a danger that an overdose can cause respiratory paralysis[14].
A decoction of the leaves is tonic[15].
The fruit is febrifuge and tonic[15]. Another report says that it is toxic, so great care should be employed if using it[11].
The root is antirheumatic[15].
Young shoots contain high concentrations of laetrile - up to 20% on a zero moisture basis[15].
Usage: Plants are used for hedging in warm temperate zones[2].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The fruit is poisonous[11].All parts of the plant contain toxic substances, including hydrocyanic acid and nandenine[15].
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.