Common Name:

General Information

Berchemia racemosa is a deciduous climbing shrub with stems that scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation for support[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a covering for walls, tree stumps etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

Thickets in low mountains[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[].
Requires a good moist well-drained loam, succeeding in full sun if the soil does not dry out otherwise it is best in light shade[, ].
Plants climb by means of twining around supports[]. They are useful for covering walls, fences and tree stumps[].
The fruit takes about one year to ripen[]. It is only produced in Britain after a hot summer[, ].
Plants do not normally require pruning[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The ripe fruit is eaten[]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[].

Leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[, , ].
The leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn to January in a frame.
Root cuttings in winter[].
Layering of young stems in winter[].