Alangium
Alangium platanifolium

Family: Alangiaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer. Foliage: Grown for foliage

Alangium platanifolium is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Woodland thickets, 1200 - 2100 metres in W. China.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is used in the treatment of rheumatism and other bone diseases.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Other

Rating:

The leaves and the bark of the root are used as an insecticide. The leaves and stem bark according to another report.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

How it is grown

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil. Requires full sun and a sheltered position. A fairly hardy plant, but it does not succeed outdoors at Kew, the soft pithy shoots being cut back by winter cold. It grows well in Gloucestershire. This species is closely related to A. chinense.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring. When 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 in early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a frame. Users feedback: I collected the seeds in late summer, stored them at a dark and dry location and followed a normal stratification procedure from November till January (November and January at around 2 °C, December at around -12 °C, all in my fridge). Germination appears to start at the earliest after three weeks, how long it usually takes I will know in a couple of weeks (it's just one early bird that broke through the surface today). Luckily, no trickery is required: it's sufficient to clean them up, soak them in water before and after stratification and pop them into the moist soil. OW

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 6-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Marlea platanifolium.