Euscaphis japonica Seeds | Euscaphis
LATIN NAME: Euscaphis japonica
COMMON NAME: Euscaphis
Plant Profile
Euscaphis (Euscaphis japonica) is a small tree in the bladdernut family (Staphyleaceae), native to warm hills of the eastern Asia. Through autumn fruits of this small tree turn a brilliant, glossy red, and they hold on long after leaves have fallen. In autumn leaves turn a warm yellow and gold, and the whole plant glows in the low sun. At maturity it stands about Five or six metres. Taken as a whole, it is a plant that repays a little attention many times over.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the bladdernut family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Euscaphis has been looked at in botany for its odd, pouch-like fruits and its place in warm hill gardens of the eastern Asia. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Euscaphis for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. For autumn garden, euscaphis is a fine, bright tree. Its clusters of glossy, red-brown, pouch-like fruits hold on through autumn and into winter, and they feed birds when garden is thin, while its fine, pinnate leaves turn a warm gold before they fall. Beyond the establishment year, its needs are simple and few.
Like the best garden herbs, it rewards growers twice: once in the garden with scent and pollinators, and again in the home as a traditional household herb.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Euscaphis, and the process is uncomplicated. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Among the Euscaphis group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Euscaphis often pair it with these related subjects: