Common Name: Ukogi

General Information

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is a spiny, deciduous shrub, often with vigorous arching stems and a scandent habit; it can grow up to 3 metres tall, The plant produces suckers and can form thickets[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is cultivated for its medicinal uses in Japan and is also grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Anhui), Japan.

Habitat

Escaped from cultivation in Japan, where it grows wild in calcareous soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[, ]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[].
An extremely adaptable plant, it prefers a light, warm, open, loamy, humus-rich, well-drained soil and a position sheltered from north and east winds, but can succeed in a wide range of soils. It generally thrives in full sun as well as moderate shade and can tolerate both urban pollution and poor soils[, , ].
Cultivated as a medicinal and culinary plant in Japan[], there are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[].
Promptly remove root suckers in order to maintain appearance unless naturalizing the plant[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, , ]. A delicious somewhat fragrant flavour[, ].
The dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified, but likely to be mainly the root) is used in Japan and Korea as a tonic to strengthen the body and the bodily systems. It promotes good health and a long life, and regular use is said to prevent degenerative conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases[]

Trials have shown that extracts from the leaves are effective for treating hypoglycaemia and for improving fat metabolism due to diabetes[].
Crude extracts of the plant have been shown to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antimicrobial properties, whilst using the plant as a functional food lowers blood cholesterol levels[]

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds well to trimming and can be used as a hedge[, ]. Its sharp thorns help to keep out unwanted visitors[].

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[].