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Useful Temperate Plants

Aralia atropurpurea

Franch.

Araliaceae

+ Synonyms

Aralia dumetorum Hand.-Mazz.

Aralia melanocarpa (H. Lév.) Lauener

Aralia yunnanensis Franch.

Panax atropurpureus (Franch.) Hand.-Mazz.

Common Name:

Aralia atropurpurea
Drawings of the plant
Photograph by: Jun Wen; Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciadodendron; Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
Creative Commons License

General Information

Aralia atropurpurea is a herbaceous, perenial plant growing around 50 - 150cm tall from an elongate rhizome[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1075
Title
Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
Author
Jun Wen
Website
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington
Year
2011
ISBN
0097-1618
Description
A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1075
Title
Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
Author
Jun Wen
Website
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington
Year
2011
ISBN
0097-1618
Description
A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.

Range

E. Asia - southwest and central China (Sichuan, Yunnan)

Habitat

Broadleaf or mixed conifer and evergreen broadleaf forests; at elevations from 1,800 - 3,300 metres[
1075
Title
Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
Author
Jun Wen
Website
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington
Year
2011
ISBN
0097-1618
Description
A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
]. Among scattered trees, grasslands on slopes or roadsides; at elevations from 2,700 - 3,300 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Species in this genus generally grow best in a good deep loam and a semi-shady position[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Require a sheltered position[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Plants are hardier when grown in poorer soils[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used as a blood-regulating medicine and for correcting irregular menstrual periods[
1075
Title
Systematics and Biogeography of Aralia L. (Araliaceae): Revision of Aralia Sects. Aralia, Humiles, Nanae, and Sciado
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 57 pp 1 - 172
Author
Jun Wen
Website
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany/pubs/CUSNH/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington
Year
2011
ISBN
0097-1618
Description
A detailed revision of four sections of the genus Aralia.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 - 5 months of cold stratification. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 months at 20°c[
134
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 2.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1988
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Once the plants are 25cm or more tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, late spring or early summer being the best time to do this.
Root cuttings 8cm long, early winter in a cold frame[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
]. Store the roots upside down in sand and pot up in early to mid spring. High percentage[
78
Title
Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
Publication
 
Author
Sheat. W. G.
Publisher
MacMillan and Co
Year
1948
ISBN
-
Description
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Division of suckers in late winter[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aralia+atropurpurea>

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