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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Epigaea asiatica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid 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

Parapyrola trichocarpa.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit[58, 105, 177]. No more details are given. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A ground cover plant for a shady position[188], forming a carpet of growth[208]. Plants should be spaced about 25cm apart each way[208]. This species is probably not very worthwhile for ground cover in Britain because of its difficulty to cultivate[208].

Special Uses

Ground cover Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires an open lime-free humus-rich soil and shade from direct sunlight[11, 200], succeeding also in deep shade[182]. Grows well in the shade of rhododendrons and other calcifuge shrubs[245]. A difficult plant to grow in cultivation[200], though it is easier than E. repens[182]. The flower buds require a period of chilling to about 2°c before they will open[200]. The flowers are sweetly scented[245]. They are produced in terminal racemes on the previous year's shoots[275].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady position in a cold frame[200]. Another report says that the seed requires no pre-treatment and can be sown in late winter in a cold frame[113]. Surface sow and place the pot in light shade, do not allow it to dry out[113]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 5 weeks[113]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, pot up the seedlings into individual pots. Be very careful since they strongly resent root disturbance. Grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse and plant them out in their permanent positions in the late spring of their second years growth. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200].Take the cutting with a part of the previous year's growth[113]. (This report is unclear as to whether it means a heel of older wood or just a small section of older wood[K]) Plants self-layer and can be divided in the spring but this must be done with great care since they deeply resent root disturbance[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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Epigaea repens	Mayflower, Trailing arbutus, Ground Laurel	Shrub	0.1	3-8		LM	S	M	2	2	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.

Epigaea asiatica - Maxim.