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Coriaria microphylla - Poir.

Common Name
Family Coriariaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards The seed is poisonous[1]. The plant is toxic to grazing mammals[192]. Most, if not all members of this genus are poisonous, though it is said that the fruit is safe to eat[K]..
Habitats Steep cliffs or terraces in the Andes[192]
Range Southern S. America. New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Coriaria microphylla


Coriaria microphylla

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Coriaria microphylla is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
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. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. thymifolia. Humb.&Bonpl.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Hallucinogenic

The fruits are hallucinogenic[192]. When taken internally they provide sensations of flying[192].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Ink  Tannin

A black ink is obtained from the leaves, it can also be used as a dye[61, 128]. The bark can also be used, it is rich in tannin. An effective ground cover plant, spreading by rhizomes to form a fern-like colony[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position[164, 200]. Succeeds in light shade[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, such as S.W. England[1], where it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[200]. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules[218]. Whilst much of the nitrogen will be utilized by the growing plant, some of it will become available for other plants growing nearby[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to 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 February/March in a greenhouse[78]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[164]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage[78]. Division in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

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
Coriaria myrtifoliaRedoulShrub1.8 7-10  LMHSNM003
Coriaria napalensisMasuri BerryShrub2.5 7-10  LMHSNM212
Coriaria ruscifolia Shrub1.0 7-10  LMHNM202
Coriaria sarmentosaTuhuShrub1.0 7-10  LMHNM202
Coriaria sinica Shrub5.0 7-10  LMHSNM21 
Coriaria terminalis Shrub1.2 7-10  LMHSNM20 
Rhus coriariaElm-Leaved Sumach, Sicilian sumacShrub3.0 8-11  LMHNDM212

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

Poir.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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