Daphniphyllum himalense

Family: Daphniphyllaceae

What it is like

Daphniphyllum himalense is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Cool moist forests, shady ravines and valleys alongside streams, 1200 - 3000 metres.

E. Asia - Central and Eastern Himalayas to Northern Burma.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The very closely related D. macropodum is said to have edible leaves. Are the leaves of this species also edible cooked?

Medicine

Rating: 1

A paste of the wod is applied as a poultice to boils.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating:

Wood - soft, close and even grained, very handsome. Used for turnery, carving etc. The wood of the roots is especially handsome, it is deep red in colour.

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

Succeeds in any good soil, tolerating lime but perhaps not suitable for very chalky soils. A useful plant for moist shady positions. Dislikes cold drying winds. D. macropodum. Miq. is hardy at Kew and tolerates temperatures down to about -20°c. It is very closely related to this species and is perhaps no more than a sub-species of it. This species, however, is less hardy than D. macropodum. The flowers have a pungent aroma. They are produced in racemes on the previous year's wood. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. 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 moderately ripened wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel or at a junction with old wood, July in individual pots in a frame. The cuttings are slow to root, give them brisk bottom heat. Fair percentage. Layering of current seasons growth, 12cm long in August/September. Takes 12 - 18 months. High percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

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

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Goughia himalayensis.