Caoshanhu Sarcandra glabra
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sar-KAN-dra GLAB-ruh
- Description
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Bone-knitted Lotus is an flowering, edible subshrub native to tropical and sub-tropical Asia. In native habitats, it is most often found in thickets, forests, slopes and roadsides. It has a somewhat woody base and will reach a mature size of 3 feet high and wide. The plant produces showy, bright red berries that can last on the plant for up to a year.
Bone-knitted Lotus does best in consistently moist, well drained soil in a shaded or protected site. If left exposed to full sun, the leaves can tend to burn. With its long-lasting, bright red berries it would be an attractive plant in a shade garden.
Severe winter cold may appear to kill the plant, but it will usually recover in the next growing season.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sarcandra
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Chloranthaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for bone and joint pain as well as bleeding disorders.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Japan, Philippines
- Distribution:
- India, Vietnam, Malaya
- Edibility:
- The seeds can be dried and roasted and used as a subsitute for sesame seeds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Terminal clusters of 1/8 inch, bright orange-red berries that last over 12 months.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers greenish-white in terminal clusters on each stem.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves will burn if not shaded from the winter sun.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
