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Common Name:

General Information

Eleutherococcus japonicus is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.

Habitat

Rather common in the hills and mountains of Honshu and Kyushu[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in an open loamy soil[], preferring a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun[]. Tolerates poor soils and atmospheric pollution[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. It can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months warm followed by 3 months cold stratification[] and can be very slow to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[, ].
Cuttings of ripe wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 30cm long in a cold frame[].
Root cuttings in late winter[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[].