Disporum smilacinum
A. Gray
Shan dong wan shou zhu
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Summary
A perennial reaching 0.5 m tall with hermaphrodite flowers blooming April to May and seeds ripening September to October. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with mildly acid to basic pH. Tolerates semi-shade and prefers moist conditions.
Description
A herb. It has a rhizome or underground stem. This is short. It often has creeping stolons or runners. The stem is usually simple and rarely branched. It is 15-35 cm high. The leaf stalk is distinct and 1-2 mm long. The leaf b lade is oval and 3-7 cm long by 1.5-3 cm wide. The base is rounded and it tapers to the tip. The flowering stalk is at the tip of the plant. There are 1 or sometimes 2 flowers. The flowers are white. The fruit is a black berry. It is round or oval and 1 cm across. The seeds are oval and about 4 mm across.
Edible Uses
Young leaves are edible when cooked. The bulb is also edible, though no further preparation details are given.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in forest from near sea level to 400 m altitude in N China. It can be up to 1600 m altitude.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Russia,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Best grown in partial shade in a moist peaty or woodland soil. Plants spread well by means of creeping rhizomes when they are grown in a leafy soil.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, using lime-free compost kept consistently moist. Stored seed requires 6 weeks of cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Germination generally takes 3–6 months or more at 15°C. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on under glass through at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be carried out in spring.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are 20 Disporum species.
Synonyms
References (5)
- Chen Xinqi, Liang Songyun, Xu Jiemei, Tamura M.N., Liliaceae. Flora of China. p 86
- Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
- Hwang, HS, et al, 2014, Distribution characteristics of plant in the Ungseokbong Mountain, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 7(2014) e164-e178
- M. C. Perry, Narr. exped. China Seas Japan 2:321. 1857
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
