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Decaisnea insignis - (Griff.)Hook.f.&Thomson.

Common Name
Family Lardizabalaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist woods and thickets to 3000 metres[109, 146].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas in Sikkim and Bhutan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Decaisnea insignis


Author: Hooker, Joseph Dalton Publisher: London : L. Reeve, 1855
Decaisnea insignis

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Decaisnea insignis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[1, 105, 177]. A yellow pod about 8cm long[200], it is filled with a white juicy pulp that is very sweet and pleasant to eat[2].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich moist loamy soil and a sunny position sheltered from cold winds[1, 175]. Succeeds in partial shade[200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain[11], it probably needs greenhouse protection in most parts of the country[1]. The flowers and young growth in spring are very frost-tender and can be damaged by late frosts[200]. The flowers are produced at the tips of the new upright growths in the spring[11, 202].

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 cold frame[200], it then usually germinates freely in early spring[K]. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse. This usually germinates well, within 1 - 3 months at 18°c[175]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on under protection for their first winter. Plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), Myanmar (north)

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
Decaisnea fargesiiBlue Sausage FruitShrub4.0 4-8 MLMHSNM300

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

(Griff.)Hook.f.&Thomson.

Botanical References

11109200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

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Subject : Decaisnea insignis  
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