Sageretia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iSageretia | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
See text. |
Sageretia (Sageretia or Mock Buckthorn) is a genus of about 35 species of shrubs and small trees in the family Rhamnaceae, native to southern and eastern Asia and northeast Africa. They have small green leaves 1.5-4 cm long, and a leathery multicoloured trunk. The flowers are small and inconspicuous; the fruit is a small edible drupe 1 cm diameter.
The genus is named after the French botanist Auguste Sageret.
- Selected species
- Sageretia brandrethiana
- Sageretia camellifolia
- Sageretia filiformis
- Sageretia gracilis
- Sageretia hamosa
- Sageretia henryi
- Sageretia horrida
- Sageretia laxiflora
- Sageretia lucida
- Sageretia melliana
- Sageretia omeiensis
- Sageretia paucicostata
- Sageretia pycnophylla
- Sageretia randaiensis
- Sageretia rugosa
- Sageretia subcaudata
- Sageretia theezans
[edit] Cultivation and uses
The leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for tea in China, and the fruit are edible, though not an important crop. S. theezans, from southern China, is a popular species in bonsai. S. paucicostata, from northern China, is the most cold-tolerant species and is occasionally grown in gardens in Europe and North America, though it is not generally considered very attractive as an ornamental plant. It is reputedly used as a way of cleaning minor cuts and lacerations, ensuring any germs left over will not infect the wound. When ground up and mixed with salt, it forms a minor explosive capable of shattering glass.
