Eleutherococcus gracylistylus Wu Jia Pi PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Eleutherococcus gracylistylus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor 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. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Acanthopanax gracylistylus. W.W.Sm.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

Flowers[177]. No more details are given.

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.
Antibacterial Antirheumatic Diuretic Miscellany

The leafy shoots are tonic and are also believed to alleviate internal injuries by dispelling blood[218]. The root bark is antibacterial, antirheumatic and diuretic[176]. It is used in the treatment of arthritis, backache and a host of other ailments. A medicinal wine made from it is commonly on sale in China[218]. A decoction of the stem bark or the roots is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, aches and pains in the back and legs, open sores on the scrotum, beriberi and traumatic injuries[147]. The plant is aphrodisiac, nutritive and tonic[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an open loamy soil[1], preferring a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun[200]. Tolerates poor soils and atmospheric pollution[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -10 to -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[200]. This species is closely related to E. sieboldianus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[200]. It can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification[113] and can be very slow to germinate[133]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113, 200]. Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame[238]. Root cuttings in late winter[200]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Eleutherococcus chiisanensis		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Eleutherococcus divaricatus		Shrub	3.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Eleutherococcus innovans	Taka-No-Tsume	Tree	6.0	6-9		LMH	N	M	1	0
Eleutherococcus japonicus		Shrub	3.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Eleutherococcus senticosus	Siberian Ginseng	Shrub	2.0	3-7	S	LMH	SN	M	2	5
Eleutherococcus seoulensis		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus		Shrub	4.5	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	3
Eleutherococcus sieboldianus	Ukogi, Five Leafed Aralia	Shrub	3.0	4-8	S	LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Eleutherococcus spinosus		Shrub	3.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	2	2
Eleutherococcus trifoliatus		Shrub	6.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1

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.

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Expert comment

Author

(W.W.Sm.)S.Y.Hu.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Rosalie	Wed Mar 8 2006

Hello, I have a very old bottle of wu jia pi wine, which should have some Eleutherococcus gracylistylus (wu jia pi) and was interested in its medicinal properties. I found this webpage http://alternativehealing.org/wuJiaPi.htm about the herb. It cautions that the wu jia pi wine is made from a different herb of the Sclepiadaceae family called northern wu jia pi; this northern stuff is apparently toxic, according to research done by Zhao Zi Huang. I can't find further information on Zhao Zi Huang or his/her work. Another site lists this northern herb as Xiang jia pi/ periploca sepium (http://www.mayway.com/general/faq_chinese_medicine.htm) and also comments on its toxicity. Does anyone know more about this? Is Eleutherococcus gracylistylus still available?

Eleutherococcus gracylistylus - (W.W.Sm.)S.Y.Hu.