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Loropetalum chinense

Common name:		Family:	Hamamelidaceae
Author:	(R.Br.)Oliv.	Botanical references:	11, 200, 266
Synonyms:	Loropetalum indicum (Oliv.), Hamamelis chinensis (R.Br.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - Himalayas to China and Japan.
Habitat:	Rocky hills and dry open woods, often on limestone[184, 260]. Stream banks, hilly slopes and roadsides[147].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Hamamelidales. Witch-hazel family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	China

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen tree growing to 2m by 1.2m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Depurative; Haemostatic; Pectoral.

The whole plant is depurative, haemostatic and pectoral[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughing in tuberculosis, dysentery, enteritis etc[147, 218]. The leaves can be crushed and pulverised for external application on wounds[147].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a rich well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or light shade[188]. Requires a lime-free humus-rich soil[182]. One report says that it succeeds on a sheltered north wall[182] whilst another says that it needs a sunny position[219] and another says it needs warm summers[260]. Prefers a cool root run[182].
This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, it is also slow growing[184]. It succeeds outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[184]. Plants do not flower well if the temperature drops below 5°c[200]. The Japanese form of this species might be hardier[11]. Plants grow taller in their native habitat, reaching a height of 3 metres[200].
The flowers emit a delicate sweet perfume[245].
Some named forms have been developed in Japan for their ornamental value[182].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring[188]. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Fair to good percentage[78].
Layering in the spring[188].

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The flowers emit a delicate sweet perfume.

Suppliers

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

Web References

[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[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 loropetalum chinense (a possible synonym).

[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures
[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures
[HP] PhotoFrom Henriette's plant pictures

References for the family Hamamelidaceae.

[CHINA] Draft 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.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[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.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

[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.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

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Bibliography

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
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