Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus

Physical Characteristics

Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. 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. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Korea, Manchuria.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Drink Tea Young leaves - raw or cooked and used as a vegetable[105, 177, 183]. Old leaves are dried and used as a tea substitute[105, 177, 183]. A wine is made from the bark. It is highly fancied by the Chinese[183]. It is probably used mainly for medicinal purposes[K].

Medicinal Uses

Adaptogen Analgesic Antiinflammatory Antipyretic Diuretic The root bark contains saponins, acanthosides, cardiac glycosides and polysaccharides[279]. It is adaptogenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic[176, 218, 279]. It is used in Korea in the treatment of lumbago, neuralgia, arthritis and oedema[279].

Known Hazards

None known