Phytolacca esculenta -

Family:	Phytolaccaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:	P. acinosa esculenta. P. kaempferi.
Range:	E. Asia - China.

Phytolacca esculenta () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is quite resiliant to frost.
Phytolacca esculenta will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Phytolacca esculenta 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
Phytolacca esculenta prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Phytolacca esculenta can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Uplands[147].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[1], though preferring a moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade[200]. We have found the plants to be very tolerant of drought[K]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. There is sme disagreement over the correct name for this species with some authorities saying that it is no more than a synonym for P. acinosa[266], whilst others give it specific status[200]. There are reports that there is a white flowered plant, which could either be this species or a form of P. acinosa which is said to be non-toxic and to have an edible root[K]. See P. acinosa for more details. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - they must be cooked and are used as a spinach[1, 58, 105, 174, 183]. Only the young leaves should be used since they become toxic with age. Root - cooked[105, 183].

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The roots contain saponins[279]. They are abortifacient, antiasthmatic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive and purgative[147, 174, 176, 279]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, beri-beri, lumbago, rheumatism, abdominal distension and numbness of the throat[147, 176, 279]. Use with caution, see the notes above on toxicity[176].

• Abortifacient - Causes an abortion.
• Antiasthmatic - Treats asthma.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antifungal - An agent that inhibits or destroys fungi. Used in the treatment of various fungal problems such as candida.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Hypotensive - Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
• Purgative - A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or spring in a cold frame[200]. 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. If you have sufficient seed, it might be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in a seed bed in early spring. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for their first year and plant them out the following spring. Division in March or October. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, making sure that each section has at least one growth bud. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

The leaves are poisonous[147]. They are said to be alright to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older.

Other Uses

A red ink is obtained from the fruit[57].

• Ink - Plants that can be used as an ink.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

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

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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