Translate this page:

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.

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

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.
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

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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.

Shop Now

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 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	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.