Common Name:

General Information

Chloranthus erectus is a glabrous, aromatic, slightly woody herb or small shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[].
At one time the plant was widely used and traded in markets in Indonesia as a tea, but cultivation of the plant was banned by the Dutch colonial government in the 19th century in order to promote the growing and use of tea (Camellia sinensis)[]. Since then use of the plant for tea has virtually ceased, though it is still used for medicinal purposes[]. Because of its fragrant flowers and leaves, and its good response to shaping, it is also grown as an ornamental in Indonesia[].
The plant is threatened with extinction in the wild due to habitat destruction[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.

Habitat

Valleys and ravines at elevations of 100 - 2,000 metres in southern China[]. Primary and secondary tropical forest, often on limestone and also in boggy areas, at elevations of 50 - 1,450 metres, occasionally to 2,550 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a range of habitats[].
Flowering and fruiting starts when plants are 2 years old. At an age of 4 - 5 years, flowers and fruits are produced regularly throughout the year[].
All parts of the plant are fragrant and aromatic, especially the leaves, stems and roots when crushed. Crushed roots and branches have a camphor-like smell and a slightly peppery and rather bitter taste[].
Harvested parts of the plant can be dried and stored. The dried parts gradually lose their aroma, but roots keep their odour and taste for a very long time if dried quickly and stored carefully[].

Edible Uses

All parts of the plant can be used to make a tea. Before Camellia sinensis was planted in Java, the Javanese used the dried leaves and roots, while the Sundanese used only the dried roots[]. Nowadays the plant is only used locally as a flavouring agent for home-grown tea[].
The plants are sometimes grown in Chinese-owned tea plantations and their leaves and flowers are added to drying tea leaves to impart a specific flavour and taste[].

Medicinal

The tea made from the leaves or roots has a long history of medicinal use in Indonesia and Malaysia[]. It is sudorific and is especially used to treat fever and complaints accompanied by fever[].
A powder from the boiled and dried roots is rubbed on the body to treat fever[].

Leaf extracts are used to cure venereal diseases[].

Root extracts are sometimes mixed with the bark of 'kulit lawang' (Cinnamomum culitlawan) as an antispasmodic during childbirth[].

A drink made from the boiled branches is said to prevent conception[].

Other Uses

Used as a dye plant, producing dark blue or black colours[].

The leaves contain an essential oil[].

Propagation

Seed -

Both seeds and cuttings of Chloranthus erectus are used for propagation. Optimal germination is obtained by using ripe seeds, dried in the shade, and with the testa removed. Seeds are sown directly in moist and shaded nursery beds and germination follows within a week. Seedlings are ready to be pricked out into individual pots about 2 months later. They are kept in a shaded nursery for another 2—3 weeks and subsequently planted out in the field. Field planting should take place in the wet season to avoid moisture stress. Cuttings 10—15 cm long are taken from internodes of branches with a diameter of about 5—8 mm. They should be placed in a shaded container or in a bin, and the soil and air should be kept moist by spraying. The cuttings are inserted in the planting medium to a depth of about 2 cm. Some growers use hormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to stimulate root growth. After one week roots are about 1 cm long, and after 3 weeks the first pair of leaves have appeared. When 2—3 pairs of leaves have appeared, the plants are ready to be pricked out individually into pots. They need initial shade and are gradually hardened off before being planted out in the field.

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