Wild Rhea
Debregeasia longifolia

Family: Urticaceae

What it is like

Debregeasia longifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from October to February. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 5

Where it is found

Mainly found on old cultivated land to 2100 metres in the Himalayas. Along the banks of streams at elevations of 500 - 2200 metres in Nepal.

E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is up to 12mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The juice of the leaves is applied to areas of the skin affected by scabies.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Other

Rating: 2

A strong fibre is obtained from the stem bark. It is used for making twine and rope. Wood is used mainly for fuel.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

How it is grown

Prefers a fertile well-drained loam with some shelter at the hottest part of the day. Plants tolerate occasional lows to about -5°c. This species is probably not very hardy in Britain and will probably require greenhouse protection, though it might be possible to grow it outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if it is given the protection of a warm wall. A very variable species. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter to mid-summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°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. Softwood cuttings in early summer.

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

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

D. velutina. Gaud.