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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Symplocos paniculata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. chinensis. (Lour.)Druce. Prunus paniculata. Thunb.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - cooked[177]. Used in jams, jellies and sauce[183]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[200].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Astringent Ophthalmic Tonic

The bark is astringent, cooling and tonic[240]. It is useful in the treatment of menorrhagia, bowel complaints, eye diseases and ulcers[240]. It is also used as a gargle for giving firmness to spongy and bleeding gums[240]. The juice of the bark is applied externally to sprains and muscular swellings[272].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye Mordant Wood

A yellow or red dye is obtained from the leaves and bark[51, 146, 158, 272]. We have no specific information for this species but many species in this genus contain alum and can be used as mordants when dyeing[168]. Wood - white, soft to moderately hard. close grained, liable to twist and split when seasoning. Of possible use in turnery[146, 158].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires an acid soil and a sunny position. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained fertile neutral to acid soil[182, 200]. One report says that plants are hardy to about -10°c, though it is also said that they can survive quite harsh winters outdoors in Britain but that they need a warm, sunny protected position and a hot summer if they are to fruit well[11, 200]. The fruits are sometimes spoiled by frosts[200]. The flowers are sweetly fragrant[200, 245]. Self-sterile, it needs cross-pollination with a different plant in the same species if seed and fruit are to be produced[11, 182]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame in late winter, it can take 12 months to germinate[11]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a cold frame[78, 200]. Roots are formed in about 4 weeks. Good percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim), Laos, Myanmar (north), Vietnam

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Symplocos microcalyx		Shrub	4.0	-	LMH	N	M	1	0	1
Symplocos sumuntia		Tree	6.0	-	LMH	N	M	2	1	2
Symplocos tinctoria	Sweet Leaf, Common sweetleaf	Shrub	8.0	0-0	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2

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.

Symplocos paniculata - (Thunb.)Miq.