Smilax pseudo-china
| Smilax pseudo-china | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Smilax pseudo-china (common name: false china root)
Propagation: Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[1]. This note probably refers to the tropical members of the genus, seeds of plants from cooler areas seem to require a period of cold stratification, some species taking 2 or more years to germinate[K]. We sow the seed of temperate species in a cold frame as soon as we receive it, and would sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if we could obtain it then[K]. When the seedlings eventually germinate, prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year, though we normally grow them on in pots for 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in early spring as new growth begins[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[2].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. This species is said to be the true 'China root' of Chinese herbal medicine[3]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[4].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: Eastern N. America - Maryland to Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Florida and Texas.
Habitat: Sphagnum swales, bogs, borders of low woods and damp sands[5]. Dry or sandy thickets[6].
Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[7][8][9]. Rich in starch, it can be dried and ground into a powder[10][11] or made into jelly, fritters etc[12]. Very tender, it is nice raw[3].
Young shoots - cooked. Used as an asparagus substitute[7][9][12].
Medicinal: The root is astringent and slightly tonic[3][13]. It is specific in the treatment of syphilis[3].
The parched and powdered leaves have been used as a dressing on burns and scalds[13]. The wilted leaves have been used as a poultice on boils[13].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: S. tamnifolia.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel and Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1970.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kavasch, Barrie. Native Harvests. Vintage Books, 1979.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.