Coriaria terminalis
Family: Coriariaceae
What it is like
Coriaria terminalis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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
Thickets and woodland margins, 2000 - 2600 metres in W. China.
E. Asia - Sikkim, Tibet, China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or used as a beverage. The seed must not be eaten. Use with great caution since most parts of the plant, including the seed, are probably toxic and some reports suggest the fruit should not be used at all. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Succeeds in any good soil, though it prefers a fairly good loamy soil in full sun or light shade. Requires a sunny sheltered position. This species is one of the hardiest members of the genus, tolerating temperatures down to at least -5°c if sheltered from cold winds. Plants are hardy from Sussex westwards. It is hardy at Kew where it fruits annually and resprouts from the base if cut back in severe winters. Plants flower and fruit at the tips of the current years growth and so can produce fruit even if they have been cut to the ground. They can fruit well even when young, plants growing with us flowered and fruited in their third year from seed. When well sited, suckers can be produced at some distance from the parent plant. 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 the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
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 may be poisonous. Although we have no more information, it is reasonable to assume that other parts of the plant are also toxic.