Common Name:

General Information

Prinsepia sinensis is a spiny, deciduous shrub of rather lax, spreading habit; it can grow up to 2 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Northeastern China, Korea, Russian Far East (Primorye)

Habitat

In the shade of mixed forests and in shrubberies, especially on pebbly or alluvial soils[]. Mixed forests, forests of shady slopes, open places on slopes and beside streams in northern China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prinsepia sinensis is a plant of temperate regions. It is very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°c[].
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[, ].
The plants produce flowers and fruits better when they are growing in full sun[]. Flowers are produced on the previous seasons wood[]. They are produced on old wood according to another report[].
This plant has a potential for commercial fruit production[]. Unfortunately, it only fruits in Britain after long hot summers[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Red and juicy[]. A pleasant sour taste[], they can be eaten out of hand or made into jellies[]. The purple, subglobose fruit is about 15mm long, containing one large seed[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best if given 2 months cold stratification[]. Sow the seed in autumn if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring in a cold frame in light shade. Germination may be inhibited by light[]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].