Sapium japonicum

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

Sapium japonicum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Thin woods in the lowlands and mountains of C. and S. Japan.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - cooked.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained fertile soil. Requires the protection of a south or south-west facing wall when grown in areas at the limits of its hardiness. Although not very hardy outdoors in Britain, the plant tolerates several degrees of frost and so can be grown against a sunny wall in favoured parts of the country. A specimen seen growing outdoors at Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire, but in the shade of other trees, was carrying a heavy crop of unripe seeds in September 1994.

Propagating it: Seed - do not cold stratify the seed since this can lead to secondary dormancy. Sown in April in a warm greenhouse, it usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Overwinter in a greenhouse for at least their first 2 winters and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The sap is poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Exceocaria japonica. Stillingia japonica.