Symphoricarpos occidentalis
| Symphoricarpos occidentalis | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Symphoricarpos occidentalis (common name: wolfberry)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 5 months cold stratification[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for 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, July/August in a frame[2].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm long preferably with a heel, in a sheltered bed outdoors in winter. High percentage[3][4].
Division of suckers in winter. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Tolerates most soils and conditions, including poor soils and amongst the roots and under the drip of trees[5][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained soil[4]. Does well in sun or shade[6]. Tolerates urban pollution and maritime exposure[4].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: Western N. America - Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota to British Columbia, Kansas and Colorado.
Habitat: Bluffs, dry prairies and plains[7], mainly in the Rockies[5].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[8]. Insipid. They are best if cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[9][10]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[4]. See the notes at top of page regarding possible toxicity.
Medicinal: An infusion of the leaves has been used as a wash for weak and inflamed eyes[10].
An infusion of the root has been used to cleanse the afterbirth and aid in convalescence[10].
Usage: Plants have extensive root systems and are used to stabilize soils on banks and slopes[4].
The branches can be made into brooms[10].
Very tolerant of trimming, it can be grown as a medium to tall hedge[4].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: No report of toxicity has been seen for this species but the fruit of many if not all members of this genus contains saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are
Also Known As: S. heyeri.
Links
References
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.