2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Aralia Manchu (lat. Aralia elata) - decorative and medicinal shrub; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. Another name is high aralia. Previously, Manchurian Aralia and Tall Aralia were different species, but since the differences between them are insignificant and not always consistent, they were ranked as one species. Popular names - devil tree or thorn tree. It is found naturally in Japan, China, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, the Primorsky Territory and the Far East. It grows on forest edges, clearings, undergrowth of coniferous or mixed forests, as well as in well-lit areas, singly or in small groups.
Characteristics of culture
Aralia Manchurian is a deciduous tree up to 7 m high (there are specimens over 10 m in height) with a straight trunk, seated with numerous thorns. That is why the plant is popularly called the thorn tree. The root system of the species under consideration is superficial, part of the roots is horizontal, the other part is curved downward and reaches a depth of half a meter.
Leaves are compound, large, doubly pinnate, up to 100 cm long, divided into 2-4 lobes, which, in turn, consist of 5-9 pairs of ovate leaflets, pointed at the tips. On the outside, the leaves are light green, on the back - gray-green. In autumn, the foliage is transformed and painted in pink-purple or reddish shades. The foliage falls off before the onset of frost.
The flowers are inconspicuous, small, fragrant, cream or white, collected in umbellate multi-flowered inflorescences that form large panicles. Berry-like fruits, blue-black, up to 5 mm in diameter, contain 5 seeds. Aralia Manchurian blooms in July - August, the fruits ripen in September - October. The culture blooms in the fifth year after planting.
Aralia Manchurian drought-resistant, winter-hardy, resistant to pests and diseases. It is actively used in folk medicine and for gardening. Trees are especially spectacular during flowering. In addition to the listed properties, the species in question is a good honey plant, especially since the flowering duration reaches 20-25 days.
Manchurian Aralia propagates by seeds, cuttings and root suckers. Unlike the closest relative of the prickly aralia, the germination rate of seeds is more than 50%. Cutting is an ineffective method, it is rarely used, since the rooting rate of cuttings is very low and is only 76%.
Aralia Manchu has several decorative forms:
* f. canescens - represented by trees with foliage, the lower part of which is covered with a large number of yellowish hairs;
* f. pyramidalis - represented by bushy trees with soft and small foliage;
* f. subinermis - represented by trees without thorns or with few thorns.
Common varieties:
* Variegata - the variety is characterized by small trees or shrubs up to 2.5-3 m high, the trunks of which are studded with thorns. A distinctive feature is considered to be large, long, feathery, openwork leaves of a silvery-white color. In appearance, the plants resemble a palm tree.
* Aureo-variegata - the variety is characterized by trees up to 3 m high with an openwork crown, a straight trunk covered with thorns, and long opposite leaves covered with spots with a yellow border. Highly decorative variety. Presented on the garden market in limited quantities, has a relatively high price, so gardeners are reluctant to purchase.
Medical use
The roots of the Manchu Aralia are used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. Infusions and powders are prepared from them. Bark and leaves are also used in medicine. Harvesting of roots and bark is carried out in spring or autumn, and leaves - during flowering or after it. The roots of the plant are rich in minerals, alkaloids, saponins, proteins, carbohydrates and essential oils.
The leaves are high in essential oils, flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids, alkaloids and triterpenoids. Tinctures from the roots of Manchurian aralia are used for concussions, depression, low blood pressure, impotence, fatigue, psychosthenia, schizophrenia, neurasthenia and neuroses.
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Aralia
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Kirkazon Manchu
Kirkazon Manchu is one of the plants of the family called Kirkazonovye, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom. As for the name of the Kirkazonov family itself, then in Latin it will be like this:
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Clematis manchu is one of the plants of the family called buttercups, in Latin the name of this plant will sound like this: Clematis manschurica Rupr. As for the name of the Manchurian clematis family itself, in Latin it will be like this: Ranunculaceae Juss.
Chinese Aralia
Chinese aralia (lat.Aralia chinensis) - decorative and healing culture; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. In the wild, plants are found in forest clearings and forest edges in the southeastern and southern parts of China.
Aralia Prickly
Aralia prickly (lat.Aralia spinosa) - healing and decorative culture; a representative of the Aralia clan of the Araliev family. It grows wild in river valleys, lowlands, deciduous forests and in areas with moist and deep soils in eastern North America.