Stauntonia hexaphylla

Family: Lardizabalaceae

What it is like

Stauntonia hexaphylla is an evergreen Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April. 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). and is pollinated by Insects, hand. The plant is not self-fertile. 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 and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Thickets and woodland in lowland from C. Japan southwards.

E. Asia - Burma, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and watery with a honey-like flavour, it is highly esteemed as a dessert fruit in Japan. The fruit is up to 5cm long.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The roots, stem and fruits are antirheumatic and diuretic. The juice of the fruit is used in the treatment of ophthalmia.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.

Other

Rating: 0

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained moisture retentive soil in a sheltered position. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils, in full sun or in semi-shade. It grows best if its roots are in a shady position and the top is allowed to grow into the sun. A very ornamental plant, it is only hardy outdoors in the milder areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when the plant is fully dormant. The young growth in spring, however, can be damaged by late frosts. It is cultivated for its edible fruit in Japan. The flowers have a pleasant sweet perfume. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants and supports. Plants are dioecious but females have borne fruit at times in the absence of a male pollinator. We have had a report of a single plant in Christchurch New Zealand producing continually after three years old. In Britain fruit is usually only formed in sunny summers. Hand pollination may improve fruit set. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed can take 18 months to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Cuttings.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; West Wall. By.

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth: Medium

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rajania hexaphylla.