Eleutherococcus sieboldianus

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus, the five-fingered aralia or fiveleaf aralia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. It is native to Anhui province in China, and has been introduced to Korea, Japan and the United States. A variegated form is available which only reaches 8 ft (2.4 m).

Description

A shrub. It grows 3 m high. It spreads 2.5 m wide. The branches are slender and arching. The flowers are greenish-white and occur in single heads. The fruit are black and 8 mm across.

Edible Uses

Young leaves are edible when cooked, offering a delicious and somewhat fragrant flavour. The dried leaves can also be used as a tea substitute.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are boiled and eaten. The leaves are also used as a tea substitute. A liqueur is brewed from the plant.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows on well drained poor soil in the sun. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Europe, Japan, 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.

Other Uses

The plant can be used as a hedge.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ukogi, Wu-chia

References (9)

• Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 8:52. 1939
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 534
• Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 278
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 25 (As Acanthopanax sieboldianus)
• Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

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