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Common Name:

General Information

Osteomeles schwerinae is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - W. China in Yunnan and W. Sichuan.

Habitat

By streams and in hot dry river valleys, 350 - 2000 metres[, ]. Among shrubs, slopes, fields, roadsides and mixed forests at elevations of 1500 - 3000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds a sheltered position in full sun in any fertile well-drained soil[, , ].
Plants usually require protection outside the mildest areas of Britain[], they are hardy to about -5°c, though the sub-species O. schwerinii microphylla. Rehder.&Wils. is hardier, to about -10°c[]. This sub-species is often mistakenly sold under the name O. subrotunda[]. They can be grown on a sunny wall[].
Seed is seldom set in Britain[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The white fruit has a sweet flavour[]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification and can be sown in late 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, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a greenhouse. Fair to good percentage[].
Layering.