Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
| Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 7' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (common name: coralberry)
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 sucker freely and quickly form thickets[4].
This species does not fruit freely in Britain, except after a hot summer[5]. A good bee plant[6][5].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: Eastern N. America - New Jersey and New York to Georgia and Texas.
Habitat: Open woods, thickets and dry banks[7].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Scarcely eaten[8]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.
Medicinal: A decoction of the inner bark or leaves has been used as a wash in the treatment of weak, inflamed or sore eyes[9].
A cold decoction of the root bark has been used as an eye wash to treat sore eyes[9].
Usage: Plants can be grown as a hedge or informal screen[4]. They are very tolerant of trimming.
Plants have an extensive root system and also sucker freely, they can be used for soil stabilization[4].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
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. rubra vulgaris. S. vulgaris. Symphora glomerata. Lonicera symphoricarpos.
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.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.