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Debregeasia longifolia - (Burm.f.)Wedd.

Common Name Wild Rhea
Family Urticaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mainly found on old cultivated land to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[146]. Along the banks of streams at elevations of 500 - 2200 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Debregeasia longifolia Wild Rhea


Debregeasia longifolia Wild Rhea

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Debregeasia longifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from October to February. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
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). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. velutina. Gaud.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[158, 177, 272]. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter[200].

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.
Parasiticide

The juice of the leaves is applied to areas of the skin affected by scabies[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre  Parasiticide

A strong fibre is obtained from the stem bark[272]. It is used for making twine and rope[146, 158]. Wood is used mainly for fuel[272].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a fertile well-drained loam with some shelter at the hottest part of the day[200]. Plants tolerate occasional lows to about -5°c[260]. This species is probably not very hardy in Britain and will probably require greenhouse protection, though it might be possible to grow it outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if it is given the protection of a warm wall. A very variable species[266]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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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 to mid-summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°c[175]. 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. Softwood cuttings in early summer[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng (southeast), Guangdong Sheng (west), Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng (west), Shaanxi Sheng (south), Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu (south), Yunnan Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh (east), Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (north), Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

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
Debregeasia edulis Shrub0.0 0-0  LMHSM210
Debregeasia hypoleuca Shrub5.0 7-10  LMHSM202
Debregeasia wallichiana Tree5.0 -  LMHSM001

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

(Burm.f.)Wedd.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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

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