Eleutherococcus divaricatus — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

The leaves are cooked — parboiled, then dried and used as a winter vegetable. They are also used as a condiment. Dried leaves make a tea substitute.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A deciduous shrub reaching 11.5 feet tall with both male and female organs per flower. Blooms August to September. Hardy to UK zone 6. Tolerates light, medium, or heavy soils and poor soil conditions. Grows in acidic to alkaline pH ranges. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun. Prefers moist soil and tolerates air pollution.

How to Grow

Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a cold frame, though it can be slow to germinate. Stored seed requires 6 months of warm stratification followed by 3 months of cold stratification and may be very slow to germinate. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July/August in a frame. Cuttings of ripe wood from the current season's growth, 15–30cm long, can be rooted in a cold frame. Root cuttings can be taken in late winter. Suckers can be divided during the dormant season.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

A deciduous shrub reaching 11.5 feet tall with both male and female organs per flower. Blooms August to September. Hardy to UK zone 6. Tolerates light, medium, or heavy soils and poor soil conditions. Grows in acidic to alkaline pH ranges. Can grow in semi-shade or full sun. Prefers moist soil and tolerates air pollution.

Names & Synonyms

Acanthopanax divaricatus (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem.Panax divaricatus Siebold & Zucc.and others

References (4)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 25 (As Acanthopanax divaricatus)
J. Arnold Arbor. 61:109. 1980
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tanaka,