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Pachysandra terminalis - Siebold.&Zucc.

Common Name Japanese Spurge, Japanese pachysandra, Pachysandra
Family Buxaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist deciduous woods in valleys and low mountains to 2000 metres[187, 200].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Pachysandra terminalis Japanese Spurge, Japanese pachysandra, Pachysandra


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:4028mdk09
Pachysandra terminalis Japanese Spurge, Japanese pachysandra, Pachysandra
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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pachysandra terminalis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[105]. The ovoid fruits are 5 - 6mm long[266]. The fruit is not usually produced in cultivation[200] - this could be because both male and female plants are required and most people only grow one plant.

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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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

A very useful ground cover plant for a shady position, spreading by means of underground runners[182, 190]. A vigorous grower, but it is not too invasive[200].It grows well in the shade of shrubs[K].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Rock garden, Woodland garden. A very tolerant plant, it thrives in any moist well-drained soil[11, 200]. Easily grown in a loose leafy soil succeeding in dry shade[187] and tolerating drought once it is established[190]. Grows well under trees[11]. Dislikes dry soils, full sun and strong winds[200]. Prefers a lime-free soil[182] according to one report whilst another says that it succeeds in acid and alkaline soils[200]. Hardy to about -25°c[187]. Plants are monoecious and rarely if ever produce fruit in cultivation[187, 200]. The flowers have a pleasant sweet fragrance[245]. At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value[187]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise sow it in late winter. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse or cold frame. Plant out in early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 7cm long taken at a node, June - August in a shady position in a frame[78]. Division in spring[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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
Pachysandra procumbensAllegheny spurgePerennial0.3 5-8 SLMHFSM003

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Siebold.&Zucc.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Thu Jul 24 2008

what is the nutritional value of this plant

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