Lian Qiao, Weeping forsythia

Forsythia suspensa

Physical Characteristics

Forsythia suspensa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - E. China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Rutin Young leaves - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Some caution is advised due to the presence of a glycoside[179]. The leaves are rich in rutin[218].

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Antiphlogistic Antitussive Cancer Diuretic Emmenagogue Febrifuge Laxative Tonic Urinary Vermifuge Lian Qiao has been used in Chinese herbalism for over 4,000 years and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. A bitter tasting pungent herb with an antiseptic effect, it is chiefly used to treat boils, carbuncles, mumps and infected neck glands[254]. The fruit is a bitter astringent herb that stimulates the heart, nervous system and gall bladder[238]. It contains vitamin P, which is used to strengthen capillaries[238]. The fruit is also antidote, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[116, 147, 174, 176, 178, 218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of acute infectious diseases such as mumps, and also for tonsillitis, urinary tract infections allergic rashes etc[238]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for use in decoctions[238]. The plant has a similar action to Lonicera japonica and is usually used in combination with that species to achieve a stronger action[176]. The flowers have a broad-spectrum antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, haemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Bacillus typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc[176]. The plant is vermifuge, though the part used is not stated[116, 147, 174, 178]. The leaves are febrifuge and are also poulticed onto ulcerated glands and haemorrhoids[218]. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is used in the treatment of breast cancer[61]. The root is used in the treatment of cancer, colds, fever and jaundice[218].

Known Hazards

Leaves contain the glycoside Phillyrin[179], its potency is unknown.