Common Name:

General Information

Rhamnus virgata is a much-branched, spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow up to 6 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of fuel.

Known Hazards

Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand.

Habitat

Forest undergrowth; at elevations up to 2,700 metres[, ]. Open places along the margins of forests at elevations of 1000 - 3000 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[].
The new leaves often appear after the flowers[].
This species often bears the aecidospore stage of 'crown rust' of oats[, ].
The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seeds are required[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[].

A tea is made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The fruit is bitter, emetic and purgative[, , , ]. It is used in the treatment of affections of the spleen[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but all the members of this genus contain a mixture of compounds (mainly rhamnetin, quercitin and rhamnazin) that make a range of good quality dyes. The colour and its intensity depend upon what part of the plant is used as dyeing material (leaves, fruits and bark are most commonly used), at what period of growth it is collected and in what state it is used. With the use of the corresponding mordants (alum, copper and iron vitriols, tin dioxide, chromium, etc.) it is possible to obtain virtually the entire spectrum of colours from lemon-yellow to purple and dark cinnamon-brown, from olive-green to intensive blue and violet[].
The dye extracts obtained from the bark, leaves and fruits are suitable for dyeing cottons, silks, woollens, leather, paper and wood. These dyes are often exceptional for their fastness[].

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the seeds of Rhamnus species are generally rich in fatty oil and several of them are extracted for use as lubricating oils etc[].

The heartwood is a bright, red-brown or chocolate colour; the sapwood is whitish. The wood is close-grained, very hard, heavy and strong[]. It is only used for fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed. Germination is usually good, at least 80% by late spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame.
Layering in early spring.