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Aralia chinensis - L.

Common Name Chinese Angelica Tree, Pumila Spirea, Chinese Astilbe
Family Araliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The bark is considered to be slightly poisonous[218].
Habitats Forests on rich well moistened soil[74].
Range E. Asia - China
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Aralia chinensis Chinese Angelica Tree, Pumila Spirea, Chinese Astilbe


Aralia chinensis Chinese Angelica Tree, Pumila Spirea, Chinese Astilbe

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Aralia chinensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in) at a medium rate.
It is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. elata.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[46, 61, 105, 177]. Used as a vegetable[206]. Blanched and used in salads[116]. Although no records of edibility have been seen for the seed, it is said to contain 5.8 - 17.5% protein, 4.2 - 46.3% fat and 3.7 - 5.7% ash[218].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne  Carminative  Diuretic  Sialagogue

The stem and root are anodyne and carminative[147, 218]. It is used as a warming painkilling herb in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis[238]. The root is also considered to be useful in the treatment of diabetes and dysmenorrhoea[218]. Some caution is advised since the bark is considered to be slightly poisonous[218]. The stembark is diuretic and sialagogue[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a good deep loam and a semi-shady position[1, 11, 200]. Requires a sheltered position[1]. Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[200]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. This species is closely allied to A. elata[11]. A very ornamental plant[1, 11]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Suitable for dried flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this. Root cuttings 8cm long, December in a cold frame[11, 78]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in March/April. High percentage[78]. Division of suckers in late winter[11]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Fujian Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Hainan Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: Vietnam, Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1174200

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