Coriaria microphylla

Family: Coriariaceae

What it is like

Coriaria microphylla is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. 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): 1.2

Where it is found

Steep cliffs or terraces in the Andes

Southern S. America. New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The fruits are hallucinogenic. When taken internally they provide sensations of flying.

Hallucinogenic: Causes the mind to hallucinate.

Other

Rating: 3

A black ink is obtained from the leaves, it can also be used as a dye. The bark can also be used, it is rich in tannin. An effective ground cover plant, spreading by rhizomes to form a fern-like colony.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Ink: Plants that can be used as an ink.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Prefers a fairly good loamy soil in a sunny sheltered position. Succeeds in light shade. A very ornamental plant, it is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, such as S.W. England, where it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c. The roots of plants in this genus bear nitrogen-fixing nodules. Whilst much of the nitrogen will be utilized by the growing plant, some of it will become available for other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When they are 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 into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair percentage. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The seed is poisonous. The plant is toxic to grazing mammals. Most, if not all members of this genus are poisonous, though it is said that the fruit is safe to eat..

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. thymifolia. Humb.&Bonpl.