Asiatic Sweetleaf, Sapphire-berry
Symplocos paniculata

Family: Symplocaceae

What it is like

Symplocos paniculata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Forests and shrubberies at elevations of 1000 - 2700 metres, Pakistan to S. W. China and Burma. Slopes in mixed forests at elevations of 800 - 2500 metres.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - cooked. Used in jams, jellies and sauce. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The bark is astringent, cooling and tonic. It is useful in the treatment of menorrhagia, bowel complaints, eye diseases and ulcers. It is also used as a gargle for giving firmness to spongy and bleeding gums. The juice of the bark is applied externally to sprains and muscular swellings.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 2

A yellow or red dye is obtained from the leaves and bark. We have no specific information for this species but many species in this genus contain alum and can be used as mordants when dyeing. Wood - white, soft to moderately hard. close grained, liable to twist and split when seasoning. Of possible use in turnery.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Mordant: Used for making a dye more permanent, it also affects the colour of the dye.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires an acid soil and a sunny position. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained fertile neutral to acid soil. One report says that plants are hardy to about -10°c, though it is also said that they can survive quite harsh winters outdoors in Britain but that they need a warm, sunny protected position and a hot summer if they are to fruit well. The fruits are sometimes spoiled by frosts. The flowers are sweetly fragrant. Self-sterile, it needs cross-pollination with a different plant in the same species if seed and fruit are to be produced. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame in late winter, it can take 12 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in individual pots in a cold frame. Roots are formed in about 4 weeks. Good percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. chinensis. (Lour.)Druce. Prunus paniculata. Thunb.