Prinsepia sinensis
| Prinsepia sinensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Prinsepia sinensis
Propagation: Seed - best if given 2 months cold stratification[1]. Sow the seed in autumn if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Germination may be inhibited by light[1]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[2][3].
The plants produce flowers and fruits better when they are growing in full sun[3]. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons wood[3]. They are produced on old wood according to another report[2].
This plant has a potential for commercial fruit production[4]. Unfortunately, it only fruits in Britain after long hot summers[3].
Range: E. Asia - Northern China to Manchuria.
Habitat: In the shade of mixed forests and in shrubberies, especially on pebbly or alluvial soils[4]. Mixed forests, forests of shady slopes, open places on slopes and beside streams in northern China[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[6][7][8]. Red and juicy[9]. A pleasant sour taste[4], they can be eaten out of hand or made into jellies[10]. The plum-shaped fruit is about 15mm long with one large seed[3].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Plagiospermum sinense.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 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 Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.