Common Name:

General Information

Loropetalum chinense is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a rounded canopy, sometimes reaching a height of 4,5 metres but more likely to be around 2 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use. It is commonly grown as an ornamental from the warm temperate zone to the tropics, there are several named forms.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - northeast India, southern China, northeast Thailand, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu)

Habitat

Rocky hills and dry open woods, often on limestone[, ]. Stream banks, hilly slopes and roadsides[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Loropetalum chinense is native to warm temperate regions and is not a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures down to around -5°c[], though plants do not flower well if the temperature drops below 5°c[]. The Japanese form of this species might be hardier[].
Requires a rich well-drained neutral to acid soil in full sun or light shade[]. Requires an acid, lime-free humus-rich soil[]. Prefers a cool root run[].
This species is slow growing[].
Plants grow taller in their native habitat, reaching a height of around 3 metres[].
The flowers emit a delicate sweet perfume[].
Some named forms have been developed in Japan for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is depurative, haemostatic and pectoral[].
A decoction is used internally in the treatment of coughing in tuberculosis, dysentery, enteritis etc[, ].
The leaves can be crushed and pulverised for external application on wounds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in a warm greenhouse in late winter or early spring[]. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[]. Fair to good percentage[].
Layering in the spring[].

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