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Desfontainia spinosa

Common name:		Family:	Loganiaceae
Author:	Ruiz.& Pav.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	S. America - Growing in the Andes from Colombia to southern Chile.
Habitat:	Cool mountain cloud forests in the north of its range, descending to sea level in the south[11].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Desfontainea spinosa[H]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	spinosa = spiny
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Gentianales. Logania family

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen shrub growing to 2.5m by 1.5m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Miscellany Narcotic.

The leaves are narcotic and have been used medicinally in Chile[192]. More research needs to be carried out into the medicinal virtues of this plant[192]. The sub-species D. spinosa hookeri is usually employed[192].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a humus-rich moisture-retentive acid soil in a sheltered position in partial shade[200]. Grows well in sandy soils as long as there is plenty of humus present[245]. Intolerant of alkaline soils and of water-logging[202]. Dislikes drought[200]. Plants like growing with their roots in the shade but their stems reaching up into the light[245].
This species is not fully hardy in Britain, plants tolerate temperatures down to about -10° c when sheltered from cold drying winds[200]. They grow best along the west coast of the country, especially in Scotland and N. Ireland[11].
The sub-species D. spinosa hookeri.(Dun.)Reiche. is usually employed for its medicinal virtues[238].
There is at least one named variety selected for its ornamental value[200]. The flowers are softly honey-scented[245].
A slow-growing plant[202].
Any pruning to retain shape is best done in the spring[200].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Grow on the seedlings in a bright filtered light[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. Requires humid conditions and bottom heat at 16° c[200]. Overwinter in a cold frame and grow on for another year before planting out[200].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[202].

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The flowers are softly honey-scented.

Cultivars

'': There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Desfontainea spinosa (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database

References for the family Loganiaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[192] Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[202] Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

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