Common Name:

General Information

Eleutherococcus spinosus is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - central Japan.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c if they are sheltered from cold winds[].
Species in this genus are usually easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. They generally grow best in a well-drained, open loamy soil, succeeding in full sun to moderate shade[]. They tolerate poor soils and atmospheric pollution[].
Considered to be a part of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus by some botanists, but this species has smaller leaves[]. It is closely related to and often confused with Eleutherococcus divaricatus[].
There is a spineless form of this species, known as Eleutherococcus spinosus inermis (Makino) H. Ohashi[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young budlings - cooked[, , , , ].
The dried leaves are a tea substitute[, ].

Although we have no record of the seed being edible, it is said to contain 5.6 - 30.6% protein, 5.6 - 36.6% fat and 2.1 - 3.5% ash[].

Medicinal

The cortex of the root is tonic and analgesic. It is used to treat general debility, rheumatic pains and many other complaints[, ]. A wine made from the root is considered to be a general tonic for restoring vigour and restoring sexual potency[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants are amenable to trimming and can be used as a hedge[]. Their prickly nature helps them to deter unwelcome 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[].