Common hydrangea, Bigleaf Hydrangea, Garden Hydrangea, Xiuqiu, Embroidered Ball, Ama-cha
Hydrangea macrophylla

Family: Hydrangeaceae

What it is like

A shrub which loses its leaves. It grows 1.2-1.8 m tall and spreading 1.2-2.5 m wide. The flowers are in large rounded heads. There are now a large number of garden varieties.

There are about 80 Hydrangea species. The leaves and roots are used in medicine (antimalarial)

Where it is found

It is a temperate and subtropical plant. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 5-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Britain, Canary Is., Central America, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Europe, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pacific, Panama, Portugal, Reunion, SE Asia, Slovenia, Spain, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The dried rhizomes and roots have been used as a food and a medicine. The leaves when dried and rubbed between the hands become sweet and are used to make a tea. The leaves contain phyllodulcin which may be used as a sugar substitute. Caution: The plant usually contains cyanide making it poisonous unless well cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, rhizomes, roots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Battien, Hottangxia, Kembang bokor, Vrtna hortenzija

Synonyms

Hydrangea hortensis S.; Hydrangea hortensia DC.; Viburnum macrophyllum Thunb.; and several others