Rhaphiolepis indica
| Rhaphiolepis indica | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Rhaphiolepis indica (common name: indian hawthorn)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a warm greenhouse[1]. Stored seed should be sown in February/March in a warm greenhouse[1]. Germination is variable[1]. 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, 5cm with a heel, September/October in a frame. Fair percentage[1][2].
Layering[3].
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained moisture retentive fertile loam or peaty soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[3]. Tolerates all but the hottest desert climates[4].
A very ornamental plant[5], it is hardier in Britain than is generally supposed, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[4]. Plants succeed outdoors in S. Cornwall[6][7][8] but are generally best grown on a sunny south-facing wall[6].
Plants do not require pruning[9].
A polymorphic species, there are a number of named varieties selected for their ornamental value[3].
Plants resent root disturbance and so are best grown in pots and then planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[3].
Range: E. Asia - S. China from Yunnan eastwards.
Habitat: Rocky hills[10], slopes, roadsides and streamside thickets at elevations of 100 - 1600 metres[11].
Edibility: Fruit. [5][12][13]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[11]. No more details are given.
Usage: Plants can be used for informal hedging in areas that are frost free or almost so[3].
Dark blue, turquoise and purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[14].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Crataegus indica.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 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 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.