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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Prinsepia sinensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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

Plagiospermum sinense.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 105, 177]. Red and juicy[11]. A pleasant sour taste[74], they can be eaten out of hand or made into jellies[183]. The plum-shaped fruit is about 15mm long with one large seed[200].

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[182, 200]. The plants produce flowers and fruits better when they are growing in full sun[200]. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons wood[200]. They are produced on old wood according to another report[182]. This plant has a potential for commercial fruit production[74]. Unfortunately, it only fruits in Britain after long hot summers[200].

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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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 if given 2 months cold stratification[113]. Sow the seed in autumn if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Germination may be inhibited by light[113]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113].

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 itâ€™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
Prinsepia uniflora	Rui Ren	Shrub	1.8	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Prinsepia utilis	Cherry prinsepia	Shrub	3.5	6-9		LMH	SN	M	4	2	4

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

(Oliv.)Oliv. ex Bean.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Mari	Tue Mar 22 13:01:45 2005

I've been growing the plants from seeds for 3-4 years and they are currently about 70cm tall. I used normal potting conpost and didn't prechill or do any special treatment before sowing, but the seeds generally responded well. It's totally hardy in Yorkshire, UK, even when the temperature drops down to -4,5C. I didn't bother retreat my a-year-old plants in a greenhouse in winter but they all survived out in my garden. Although it's flowers are insignificant (small, cream-coloured flowers appearing in late winter/early spring}, the plant itself has a rather attractive shape and peeling bark and I think this plant has a huge potencial for bonsai use.

Sadly, I haven't seen the fruits yet but am hoping to taste them in a few year's time. Let's hope for a nice, long summer this year.

Prinsepia sinensis - (Oliv.)Oliv. ex Bean.