Common Name:

General Information

Symplocos microcalyx is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 4 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a mordant and as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern Japan (Nansei-Shoto).

Habitat

Subtropical evergreen forests, often along streamlets[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained fertile neutral to acid soil[, ].
Self-sterile, it needs cross-pollination with a different plant in the same species if seed and fruit are to be produced[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Leaves[]. No more details are given.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Many species in this genus accumulate aluminium, especially in their leaves and bark. Thus many Symplocos species can be used as the source of a yellow dye and can also be used as a mordant[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and is best sown in a cold frame in late winter, it can take 12 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in individual pots in a cold frame[, ]. Roots are formed in about 4 weeks. Good percentage[].