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Osteomeles schwerinae - Schneid.

Common Name
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats By streams and in hot dry river valleys, 350 - 2000 metres[109, 200]. Among shrubs, slopes, fields, roadsides and mixed forests at elevations of 1500 - 3000 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - W. China in Yunnan and W. Sichuan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Osteomeles schwerinae


Osteomeles schwerinae

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Osteomeles schwerinae is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

O. anthyllidifolia. non Lindl.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[105]. The white fruit has a sweet flavour[2]. The fruit is about 8mm 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

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds a sheltered position in full sun in any fertile well-drained soil[166, 182, 188]. Plants usually require protection outside the mildest areas of Britain[11], they are hardy to about -5°c, though the sub-species O. schwerinii microphylla. Rehder.&Wils. is hardier, to about -10°c[184]. This sub-species is often mistakenly sold under the name O. subrotunda[219]. They can be grown on a sunny wall[11]. Seed is seldom set in Britain[219].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification and can be sown in late autumn in a cold frame[200]. 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, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a greenhouse. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering.

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Osteomeles obtusifolia Shrub0.0 -  LMHNM10 
Osteomeles subrotunda Shrub2.0 7-10  LMHNDM10 

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

Schneid.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

John R. Dunmire   Thu Sep 27 2007

My plant of Osteomeles schwerinae (subrotunda?) came from a Portland, OR garden. I have had itfor about 20 years. It used to produce BLUE fruits which tated like blueberries. They were small and seedy, but might be capable of improvement. Clustered flowers like small elder blossoms are attractive. My plant no longer fruits (overgrown by shade). Foliage attractive. Plant needs pruning to control sprawl.Plant is growing in Los Altos, California.

Jeffrey S. Brooks   Sun Mar 8 2009

One Osteomeles schwerinae C.K. Schneid. was found growing successfully in Tucson, Arizona, USA on the north side of a brick wall. It bloomed this spring (2009) in early March after a moist/warm winter. The tree's leaves turned tawny colored during the winter apparently due to the occasional light frost. The source of this plant was apparently the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Home Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is blue skin with a white interior and has a sweet flavor. It is about 8mm in diameter and resembles a blue berry in physical appearance and flavor.

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