The name Debregeasia edulis (treated here as a synonym of Oreocnide frutescens (Thunb.) Miq.), appears to have been misapplied to Debregeasia velutina (which itself is now viewed as a synonym of Debregeasia longifolia (Burm.f.) Wedd.) by most authors since Weddell in 1859[]. Some of the reports here were listed under Debregeasia edulis and are likely to more correctly refer to Debregeasia longifolia. The reports in question are clearly marked in the text below[].

Common Name:

General Information

Oreocnide frutescens is an evergreen shrub or small tree growing 1 - 3 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and a source of fibre for making ropes.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, southern Japan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia

Habitat

Rocky soils in warm, broad-leaved forests; at elevations from500 - 2,200 metres[]. Forests, margins of mixed forests, open thickets, valleys, roadsides; at elevations from 300 - 2,500 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Oreocnide frutescens is native from the warm temperate zone of southern central China to the tropics of southeast Asia[].
Requires a fertile, humus-rich soil[]. Prefers a fertile well-drained loam with some shelter at the hottest part of the day[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The yellow fruits are pleasantly sweet, their flavour is said to resemble strawberries[, , ]. Individual fruits are rather small (around 1mm in diameter) but are produced in clusters along the stems[]. The fruit is difficult to harvest because the it is tender and falls apart easily, therefore it is not suitable for commercial cultivation[]. The fruit remains on the plant for several weeks and looks particularly ornamental[]. All these reports were for Debregeasia edulis, and probably correctly refer to Debregeasia longifolia. See notes above[].

Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

The dried, powdered root is mixed with rice flour or wheat flour when baking, in order to add softness to the food[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves and/or the fruits is sudorific[]. The leaves are decocted with Pterocarya spp and used in the treatment of itch[]. This report was for Debregeasia edulis, and probably correctly refers to Debregeasia longifolia. See notes above[].

A paste made from the leaves is used as a poultice on boils[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the stems is used for making ropes[, ]. It is best adapted for fishing lines and nets, both from its strength and from its power of resisting moisture[].

The dried and powdered root is mixed with clay and used to mop floors.It is said to add durability to the floor[].

The brown wood is moderately hard[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to mid-summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°c[]. 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.
Softwood cuttings in early summer[].