Celastrus dependens

At a glance

Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −12.2 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a deep loamy soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. A rampant climber, it requires ample space and is best grown into an old tree. Plants climb by means of twining and by hooked prickles. This species is closely related to C. scandens. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - gather when ripe, store in dry sand and sow February in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a 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. Layering in August of the current seasons growth. Takes 12 months. Root cuttings, 6mm thick 25mm long in December. Plant horizontally in pots in a frame.

Edible uses

The young flowers are used as a vegetable.

Medicinal uses

The plant is used as an antidote to opium. The bark is abortifacient. The seed is aphrodisiac, bitter, emetic, laxative and stimulant. The oil from the seed is a powerful stimulant. It is used in the treatment of beriberi. Many plants in this genus contain compounds of interest for their antitumour activity.

Material uses

The seed contains 52% oil, and the fruit 30%. This oil is used medicinally (see notes above), we do not know if it has any other applications[K].