Photinia bodinieri
H.L,v.
Chock Tsz Shue
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Yao Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yao Li
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Yao Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yao Li
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Yao Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Yao Li
Summary
Evergreen tree growing to 15m tall, hardy to UK zone 9. Hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated. Flowers in May, seeds ripen September to October. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage preference. Tolerates mildly acid to very alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade or full sun, preferring moist soil.
Description
A small tree. It grows 3-15 m tall. The leaves are broadly sword shaped. They are 9-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are white.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible, though no preparation details are recorded. The fruit is approximately 8mm in diameter.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Requires a well-drained fertile soil in a sheltered position in sun or light shade. Prefers a warm soil that is not too heavy or close. Tolerates calcareous soils. Dislikes windy sites. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c. It succeeds outdoors at Kew where it is damaged only in severe winters. Best given the protection of a wall or a sheltered woodland position in areas where temperatures regularly fall below -5°c. Plants are susceptible to fireblight. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Succeeds in any good well-drained soil in a sunny position. Fast growing once established.
Propagation
Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it ripens in autumn. Stored seed will likely need stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Germination is usually good. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse through their first winter, then plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings can be taken in a frame — harvest shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are 8–10cm above ground, pot individually, and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well, then plant out in summer. Half-ripe wood cuttings, 7–10cm with a heel, taken July/August in a frame, take about 2 months to root; overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring — fair to good success rate. Cuttings of almost ripe side shoots, 7–12cm with a heel, taken October/November in a cold frame, are lifted the following autumn and planted into permanent positions. Layering in autumn with partial severing of the layer about 12 months later and lifting the following spring gives a high percentage.
Other Uses
The wood is hard and heavy, making it suitable for furniture and other small articles.
Notes
There are about 60 Photinia species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Du davidson
References (3)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1410 (As Photinia davidsoniae)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/ (As Photinia davidsoniae)
- C. S. Sargent, Pl. wilson. 1:185. 1912 (As Photinia davidsoniae)
