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Common Name: Nepalese Paper Bush

General Information

Edgeworthia gardneri is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - S. China to the E. Himalayas.

Habitat

Forests and shrubberies to 3000 metres[].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any soil in sun or part shade, growing well in light woodland. Prefers a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season.
Very closely related to and scarcely distinct from E. chrysantha and E. papyrifera[]. This species is more tender than E. chrysantha[]. It is reliably hardy to about -5°c, but it can tolerate temperatures down to -15°c if growing in a well-drained soil in a sheltered position[]. The flowers are damaged by frost so the plant is best grown on a south or west-facing wall[].
Plants resent root disturbance and should be put into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
This species is cultivated in the Himalayas for the paper that can be made from the bark[]. The stems are harvested every second year for this purpose[].
The flowers diffuse a pronounced clove-like perfume and will scent the air to some distance on a calm day[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A high-class paper is made from the bark[, , ]. The bark fibres are used. This species is said to be the best of the various species that are used to make hand made paper in the Himalayas[].
The stems are extremely supple and can be tied in knots[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Place the pot in a plastic bag to keep it moist[]. The seed might germinate in the spring, though it could take another 12 months. Stored seed usually requires 8 - 12 weeks warm stratification at 20°c followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°c[]. Germination can still take 12 months or more at 15°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and grow on in a greenhouse for at least a year before planting out in late spring or early summer[]. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings in spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].