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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Coriaria terminalis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or used as a beverage[1, 11, 105]. The seed must not be eaten. Use with great caution since most parts of the plant, including the seed, are probably toxic and some reports suggest the fruit should not be used at all. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[200].

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any good soil[233], though it prefers a fairly good loamy soil in full sun or light shade[11, 164, 200]. Requires a sunny sheltered position[164, 233]. This species is one of the hardiest members of the genus, tolerating temperatures down to at least -5°c if sheltered from cold winds[200]. Plants are hardy from Sussex westwards[1]. It is hardy at Kew where it fruits annually and resprouts from the base if cut back in severe winters[11, 200]. Plants flower and fruit at the tips of the current years growth and so can produce fruit even if they have been cut to the ground[182, K]. They can fruit well even when young, plants growing with us flowered and fruited in their third year from seed[K]. When well sited, suckers can be produced at some distance from the parent plant[233, K]. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[218]. Whilst much of the nitrogen will be utilized by the growing plant, some of it will become available for other plants growing nearby[K].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse[78]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[164]. 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, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage[78]. Division in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Assam, Sikkim), Nepal

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Coriaria microphylla		Shrub	1.2	7-10	LMH	SN	M	0	1	3
Coriaria myrtifolia	Redoul	Shrub	1.8	7-10	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Coriaria napalensis	Masuri Berry	Shrub	2.5	7-10	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Coriaria ruscifolia		Shrub	1.0	7-10	LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Coriaria sarmentosa	Tuhu	Shrub	1.0	7-10	LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Coriaria sinica		Shrub	5.0	7-10	LMH	SN	M	2	1
Rhus coriaria	Elm-Leaved Sumach, Sicilian sumac	Shrub	3.0	8-11	LMH	N	DM	2	1	2

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.

Coriaria terminalis - Hemsl.