Eleutherococcus seoulensis — Edible Plant

Summary

A deciduous shrub that tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, including poor soil. Adapts to mildly acidic through basic soils and grows in semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions. Hardy and pollution-resistant.

Description

A deciduous shrub that tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, including poor soil. Adapts to mildly acidic through basic soils and grows in semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions. Hardy and pollution-resistant.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are edible when cooked.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Korea,

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame, though germination can be slow. Stored seed requires 6 months of warm stratification followed by 3 months of cold stratification, and may also be very slow to germinate. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle, then grow on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter before planting out in late spring or early summer. Other options include half-ripe wood cuttings in July/August in a frame, ripe wood cuttings of the current season's growth at 15–30cm long in a cold frame, root cuttings in late winter, or division of suckers during the dormant season.