Gynatrix pulchella - Hemp Bush

Family:	Malvaceae
Habit:	Shrub
Height:	2.5
Synonyms:	Plagianthus pulchellus. Sida pulchella.
Range:	Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania.

Gynatrix pulchella (Hemp Bush) is a Shrub which grows to a height of 2.5m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 8.
Hemp Bush will flower in January. The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Hemp Bush will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hemp Bush prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hemp Bush should not be planted in shady areas.

River banks and in valleys[154].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Thrives in a deep well-drained humus-rich fertile soil in a sunny position[182, 200]. This species is not very hardy in Britain but it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country[182]. It can be fast growing in really mild districts[182]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in early spring in a greenhouse. It usually germinates freely[200]. 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, July/August in a frame[1, 200]. Layering[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the bark is soft, glossy and long. It is used for tying, as a coarse string etc[154].

• Fibre - Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Bean. W.
Author: Bean. W.
Rating:
Publisher : A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
Date of Publication : 1981

Flora of Victoria.
Ewart. A. J.
Author: Ewart. A. J.
Rating:
Publisher : A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
Date of Publication :

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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