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Edgeworthia chrysantha - Lindl.

Common Name Oriental paperbush
Family Thymelaeaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests and streamsides, at elevations of 300 - 1600 metres in Ichang Province[109, 200].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Edgeworthia chrysantha Oriental paperbush


http://flickr.com/photos/93452909%40N00
Edgeworthia chrysantha Oriental paperbush
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Edgeworthia chrysantha is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

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.
Ophthalmic

The sliced root is used as a remedy for eye diseases[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Paper  String

A high-class paper is made from the bark[1, 11, 58, 61]. The bark fibres are used[61]. The stems are harvested in spring or early summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The outer bark is removed from the inner by peeling or scraping. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with soda ash and then beaten with mallets or put through a blender. The paper is off white in colour[189]. The stems are extremely supple and can be tied in knots[11, 182].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil in sun or part shade[175, 184, 200], growing well in light woodland[200]. Prefers a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season[1, 200]. This species is hardy to about -15°c according to one report[184], though others say that it is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[1, 11]. It succeeds on a wall at Kew[K] and as a free-standing shrub in Cornwall[11]. The plant is frost hardy, but the flowers are susceptible to frost damage[188]. The plant is best grown on a south or west-facing wall[188]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be put into their permanent positions as soon as possible[188]. This species is cultivated in Japan for the paper that can be made from the bark[1, 11, 109]. The stems are harvested every second year[61]. This species is very closely related to and scarcely distinct from E. gardneri and E. papyrifera[200]. The flowers diffuse a pronounced clove-like perfume and will scent the air to some distance on a calm day[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Place the pot in a plastic bag to keep it moist[175]. The seed might germinate in the spring, though it could take another 12 months. Stored seed usually requires 8 - 12 weeks warm stratification at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c[175]. Germination can still take 12 months or more at 15°c[175]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and grow on in a greenhouse for at least a year before planting out in late spring or early summer[175]. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings in spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200].

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
Edgeworthia gardneriNepalese Paper BushShrub2.0 7-10  LMHSNM002
Edgeworthia papyriferaPaperbush, Oriental PaperbushShrub2.5 7-10  LMHSNM104

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

Lindl.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Lily   Wed May 5 12:06:07 2004

I have this growing in the garden, but since I put it in it hasn't grown one bit, though has flowered for the last 2 winters, it's in dappled shade and I supplied humus rich soil for it. I wish to move it but am afriad I'd lose it as it was an expensive plant

Steve Brown   Sat Aug 26 2006

What is the difference between the Edgeworthia chrysantha and the Edgeworthia papyrifera?

   Mar 14 2016 12:00AM

Here in Greensboro, NC our Edgeworthia are producing the most opened and fragrant blooms (yellow) that we have seen in the last four years. They are so fragrant that my daughter, a biochemist and I think they could possibly be used as an essesential oil base. Has anyone heard of trying this?

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