Translate this page:
Summary
Physical Characteristics
Rubia cordifolia is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 6 m (19ft) by 3 m (9ft).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves
Edible Uses:
Leaves - cooked. Used as a side dish with rice[61, 177]. It is much esteemed as a lab-lab by the Javanese[46]. Fruit - raw[179]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[200].
References
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.
Alterative Anodyne Antiphlogistic Antitussive Astringent Diuretic Emmenagogue Expectorant
Febrifuge Styptic Tonic Vulnerary
The roots are alterative, anodyne, antiphlogistic, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, styptic, tonic and vulnerary[147, 176, 178, 218, 240]. They have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pneumococci etc[176]. They are used to lower the blood pressure[176]. The roots are used internally in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, internal and external haemorrhage, bronchitis, rheumatism, stones in the kidney, bladder and gall, dysentery etc[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 3 years old. They are peeled and then dried[238]. The stems are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Febrifuge, they are used in the treatment of blood disorders and spreading fever of kidneys and intestines[241].
References
Our new book Edible Shrubs is now available.
Edible Shrubs provides detailed information, attractively presented, on over 70 shrub species. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, or they yield edible or useful oil.
Read More
Other Uses
Dye
A red dye is obtained from the stems and the root[46, 61, 158]. It is inferior to R. tinctoria, the madder plant[4].
Special Uses
References
Cultivation details
Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[200]. Tolerates dry soils but quickly becomes scorched when growing in full sun[200]. It is possible that the entries on edibility for this plant should apply to R. manjith. Roxb. ex Fleming. (syn R. cordifolia. auct non L.).
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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.
Shop Now
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate[200]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or at any time in the growing season if the divisions are kept well watered until established[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
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 Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Adina rubella | | Shrub | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 1 | |
| Asperula cynanchica | Squinancy Wort | Perennial | 0.4 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Asperula tinctoria | Dyer's Woodruff | Perennial | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | |
| Borojoa patinoi | Borojo | Tree | 8.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | FS | M | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Carapichea ipecacuanha | Ipecac | Shrub | 0.5 |
10-12
| M | LMH | FS | M | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Cephalanthus occidentalis | Button Bush, Common buttonbush, Button Willow, Honey Bells, Buttonbush | Shrub | 7.0 |
4-10
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 0 | 2 | |
| Chiococca alba | West Indian Snow Berry, David's rot, Skunk-root, Snowberry. | Shrub | 6.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Ciliosemina pedunculata | Ciliosemina | Shrub | 3.0 |
10-12
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Cinchona calisaya | Peruvian Bark, Quinine | Tree | 6.0 |
10-12
| M | LM | SN | M | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Cinchona officinalis | Lojabark | Tree | 8.0 |
10-12
| M | LM | SN | M | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Cinchona pubescens | Quinine tree, Red Bark, Cinchona, Quina, Quinquina, Quinine Bark, Peruvian Bark, Jesuit's Bark | Tree | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | SN | M | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Coprosma acerosa | Sand Coprosma | Shrub | 0.5 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Coprosma areolata | | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma atropurpurea | | Shrub | 0.1 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma billardieri | Native Currant | Shrub | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma brunnea | | Shrub | 0.1 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Coprosma foetidissima | | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma grandifolia | | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Coprosma hirtella | Rough Coprosma | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Coprosma lucida | | Shrub | 5.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Coprosma moorei | | Shrub | 0.1 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma nitida | | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Coprosma petriei | | Shrub | 0.1 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma propinqua | | Shrub | 6.0 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma pumila | | Shrub | 0.1 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma repens | Mirror Plant, Creeping mirrorplant | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma rhamnoides | | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma robusta | | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Coprosma rotundifolia | | Shrub | 2.4 |
8-11
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Coprosma rugosa | | Shrub | 3.0 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
|
|
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
200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment