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Forsythia suspensa - (Thunb.)Vahl.

Common Name Lian Qiao, Weeping forsythia
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards Leaves contain the glycoside Phillyrin[179], its potency is unknown.
Habitats Thickets, moors and cliffs, 300 - 1200 metres[109]. Thickets or grassy areas on slopes, valleys and gullies at elevations of 300 - 2200 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - E. China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Forsythia suspensa Lian Qiao, Weeping forsythia


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Forsythia suspensa Lian Qiao, Weeping forsythia
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Forsythia_suspensa_SZ3.png

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Forsythia suspensa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Syringa suspensa.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Rutin

Young leaves - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Some caution is advised due to the presence of a glycoside[179]. The leaves are rich in rutin[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.
Antidote  Antiphlogistic  Antitussive  Cancer  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Laxative  
Tonic  Urinary  Vermifuge

Lian Qiao has been used in Chinese herbalism for over 4,000 years and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. A bitter tasting pungent herb with an antiseptic effect, it is chiefly used to treat boils, carbuncles, mumps and infected neck glands[254]. The fruit is a bitter astringent herb that stimulates the heart, nervous system and gall bladder[238]. It contains vitamin P, which is used to strengthen capillaries[238]. The fruit is also antidote, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[116, 147, 174, 176, 178, 218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of acute infectious diseases such as mumps, and also for tonsillitis, urinary tract infections allergic rashes etc[238]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for use in decoctions[238]. The plant has a similar action to Lonicera japonica and is usually used in combination with that species to achieve a stronger action[176]. The flowers have a broad-spectrum antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, haemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Bacillus typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc[176]. The plant is vermifuge, though the part used is not stated[116, 147, 174, 178]. The leaves are febrifuge and are also poulticed onto ulcerated glands and haemorrhoids[218]. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is used in the treatment of breast cancer[61]. The root is used in the treatment of cancer, colds, fever and jaundice[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The sub-species F. suspensa sieboldii is a lax grower that roots freely where the branches touch the ground. It makes a very good tall ground cover when planted about 2.5 metres apart each way[208]. Landscape Uses: Border, Erosion control, Espalier, Massing, Screen.

Special Uses

Espalier  Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in all soil types[202] but prefers a rich soil. Succeeds in limey soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. It prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi shade though it is apt to get leggy if grown in the shade of trees[182]. Succeeds against a north-facing wall[219]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[184]. The flowers are produced quite early in the year and are frost-resistant[182]. Plants are medium to fast growing[202]. Flowers are produced on wood that is more than one year old[202]. Any pruning is best done after the plant has finished flowering[182]. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[182]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Blooms are very showy. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1].

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 - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 2 months[K]. 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 10 - 15cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Plant out in autumn or spring. A very high percentage, they root within 3 weeks[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in a sheltered outdoor bed. Good percentage[78]. Layering in spring or summer. Plants often self-layer[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng (west), Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng)

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Forsythia viridissimaGolden Bells, Greenstem forsythia, ForsythiaShrub2.5 5-8 SLMHFSNM023
Forsythia x intermediaGolden Bell, Border ForsythiaShrub2.5 5-8 FLMHFSNM003

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

(Thunb.)Vahl.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Lawler Barnes   Tue Mar 27 2007

Nature Abhors a Garden Forysthia is featured 1 April 2007.

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