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Common Name: Japanese Photinia

General Information

Photinia glabra is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.

Habitat

Hills in Szechwan[]. Slopes, mixed forests a elevations of 500 - 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained fertile soil in a sheltered position in sun or light shade[, ]. Prefers a warm soil that is not too heavy or close[]. Tolerates calcareous soils[, ]. Dislikes windy sites[].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[].
Plants are susceptible to fireblight[]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning[].
There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - dried[]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

Anthelmintic. Also used in the treatment of obstinate dysentery, piles and jaundice[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is hard and heavy, suitable for making furniture and other small articles[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Stored seed will probably require stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[]. Germination is usually good[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Basal cuttings in a frame[]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[, ]. They take about 2 months to root and should be overwintered in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring[]. Fair to good percentage[].
Cuttings of almost ripe side shoots, 7 - 12cm with a heel, autumn in a cold frame[]. Lift the following autumn and plant in their permanent positions[].
Layering in autumn. Partially sever the layer about 12 months later and lift in the following spring. High percentage[].