Cherry prinsepia
Prinsepia utilis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Prinsepia utilis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 3 m (9ft). It is in flower in February, and the seeds ripen in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3.5
Where it is found
Forest, scrub and hedges, 1200 - 2700 metres. Usually found in sunny open places on dry hillsides near any spring or water-course.
E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to W. China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw or cooked. Liked by children. Sloe-like, it has rather an astringent flavour. The fruit is up to 17mm long and contains a single large seed. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is used in cooking.
Oil: Oil
Medicine
Rating: 2
An oil from the seed is rubefacient. It is applied externally as a treatment for rheumatism and muscular pain caused by hard work. The oil is also applied to the forehead and temples in the treatment of coughs and colds. The heated oilcake is applied as a poultice to the abdomen in the treatment of stomachaches. A paste of this seedcake is used as a poultice to treat ringworm or eczema. The fruit is used in Chinese medicine. We have no more details.
Eczema: Used in the treatment of eczema - a chronic health condition that affects the skin, causing redness, dryness, itching and infections.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 4
The seed contains 21% of a fatty oil. As well as being edible, it can also be used for lighting. The oilcake is used for washing clothes. A deep purple colour btained from the fruits is used for painting windows and walls. Plants are grown as a hedge in the Himalayas. Plants have an extensive root system and are used for binding the soil. Wood - very hard, compact, very liable to split.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Paint: Plants used directly as a paint. Does not include oil plants and dyes that can be used as ingredients in paints.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).
Agroforestry Services: Living fence: Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Requires a light not too fertile soil. Plants are hardy to about -10°c. The plants produce flowers and fruits better when they are growing in full sun. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons wood and can be produced in the autumn as well as the spring. The flowers are produced on the current years wood according to another report. Autumn flowers can produce ripe fruit in the following spring. Unfortunately, the plants only produce fruit in Britain after long hot summers.
Propagating it: Seed - best if given 2 months cold stratification. Sow the seed in autumn if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Germination may be inhibited by light. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist