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Menispermum canadense - L.

Common Name Canada Moonseed, Common moonseed
Family Menispermaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous[21, 95, 159, 222]. The fruit has been known to cause death in children[207].
Habitats Moist woods and hedges near streams[43]. Deciduous woods and thickets, along streams, bluffs and rocky hillsides, fencerows, shade tolerant from sea level to 700 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Quebec and New England to Georgia, west to Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Menispermum canadense Canada Moonseed, Common moonseed


Menispermum canadense Canada Moonseed, Common moonseed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Menispermum canadense is a deciduous Climber growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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

None known

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.
Bitter  Diuretic  Laxative  Purgative  Tonic

Canada moonseed has occasionally been used in the past for its medicinal virtues, though it is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The roots are a bitter tonic, diuretic, laxative, nervine, purgative (in large doses), stomachic and tonic[4, 21, 46, 218]. A tea made from the root has been used in the treatment of indigestion, arthritis, bowel disorders and as a blood cleanser[222]. The root is applied externally as a salve on chronic sores[222]. Use with caution[21], see notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil that does not dry out excessively in summer, in sun or partial shade[200]. Prefers a position in full sun[219]. This species is hardy to about -30°c, but, due to a lack of summer heat, the plants usually produce soft growth in mild maritime areas and this can be cut to the ground at temperatures around -5 to -10°c[200]. The plants do not require pruning, but can benefit from being cut back to ground level every 2 - 3 years in order to keep them tidy[219]. A vigorous and fast-growing climbing plant that twines around supports, it also spreads freely by underground suckers[11, 182, 219]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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 late winter in a greenhouse[78, 113]. Two months cold stratification speeds up germination[113] so it might be better to sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[K]. Germination is usually good[78]. 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 mature wood, autumn in a frame[200]. Division of suckers in early spring[78, 113]. The suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we prefer to pot them up and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are established[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (southwest), Ontario, Manitoba (southeast)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)

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
Menispermum davuricum Climber3.6 4-8 FLMHSNM02 

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

11200270

Links / References

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