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Lyonia ovalifolia - (Wall.)Drude.

Common Name
Family Ericaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Common in sunny places on hills, in scrub and on the edges of oak, pine and rhododendron woods[184].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lyonia ovalifolia


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
Lyonia ovalifolia
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lyonia ovalifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Andromeda ovalifolia. Pieris ovalifolia. Xolisma ovalifolia.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

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.
Parasiticide  Skin

The young leaves and buds are toxic, but they are used externally as an infusion to treat skin diseases and external parasites[240, 272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Insecticide  Parasiticide  Wood

The leaves have insecticidal properties and can also be used to treat skin diseases of a parasitic origin[146, 158]. Wood - soft according to one report[146], hard according to another[158], even-grained, moderately compact, not durable, warps and shrinks badly during seasoning. It is used as a fuel, though is not a very good fuel[158, 272], and as a charcoal[158]. It can also be used in turning if it is properly seasoned[146].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grow in dappled shade in moist humus-rich lime-free soils and mulch annually with leafmould[200]. Requires an acid soil in sun or part shade[184]. Requires a position in shade or semi-shade[188]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[184], though the Himalayan form of this species is rather tender[11].

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 early spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[200]. 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, July/August in a frame[200]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng (south), Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Assam, Punjab, Sikkim), Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia

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

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

(Wall.)Drude.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Sun Apr 29 2007

A famous Chinese poem from the 8th century refers to eating rice tinted green with an infusion of the leaves of this plant.

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