Leather Wood, Western leatherwood
Dirca occidentalis
Family: Thymelaeaceae
What it is like
Dirca occidentalis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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): 1.8
Where it is found
Moist situations, often on calcareous soils.
South-western N. America - California..
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The following uses are for the closely related D. palustris, they quite possibly also apply to this species. The tough flexible shoots are used in basket making and as a tying material. A rope can be made from the bark fibres. The bark fibres are also used in making paper. The stems are harvested in summer, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The outer and inner barks are separated by scraping or peeling. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours or less with soda ash and then beaten with mallets or put through a blender. The paper is greenish cream in colour.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.
How it is grown
Thrives in a moist peaty soil and a sheltered position. Prefers a reasonably moist humus-rich limy soil according to another report. The flowers are produced in early spring and they are often damaged by frost.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Remove the fruit flesh since this can inhibit germination. Dried seed will require 2 - 3 months cold stratification. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 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. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist