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Millettia reticulata

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Botanical Name :Millettia reticulata
Family :Fabaceae
Genus: Millettia
Species: reticulata
Common Name: Evergreen Wisteria,  Ji Xue Teng

Habitat : Millettia reticulata  is native to   E. Asia – S. China.  It grows on damp shady places. Thickets on slopes and in valleys at elevations of 100 – 950 metres.

Description:

Millettia reticulata is a deciduous Climber growing to 5 m (16ft 5in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.It can fix Nitrogen.
Its leathery, dark green leaves are made irrelevant when the red-violet, pea-shaped flowers of the evergreen wisteria appear in spring and summer. A woody vine that has twining, rambling, and shrub-like qualities, it is evergreen only in the warmest of regions, being a native of southern China and Taiwan. Its compound leaves are made up of seven to thirteen dark green, leathery, long, oval and pointed leaflets. Anytime from spring to fall, finger-like, spiked clusters of flowers jet outward from the leafy stems. Each blossom is pea-flower shaped, ranging from a red-violet to purple, with a yellow throat. The flowers are mildly fragrant, reminiscent of cedar or camphor, possibly a bit malodorous to some. Bees pollinate them, eventually yielding long, hard, awkwardly formed seedpods by late fall. Repeated flowering can occur if spent flowers and young pods are pruned off.

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Grow evergreen wisteria in full to partial sun in a rich, well-drained acidic or neutral soil. It needs a sturdy support to climb, for example, a broad trellis, arbor, or mortared stone wall. Without support, the vine becomes a sprawling, haphazard groundcover. In areas with cool, frosty winters the leaves drop off and stems may die back. Mulching the root crown over the winter helps ensure the vine’s return in spring. The plant can look quite ratty when deciduous, and is particularly annoying in spring as you wait for the new leaves.

Cultivation:
Succeeds in full sun in a fertile moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and down to about -15°c when given the protection of a warm sunny wall. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
Propagation:
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the 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 spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with the leaves removed, July/August in moist sand in a frame

Medicinal Uses:
Medicinal propertiesantianemic hypotensive   anti-inflammatory   gynecologic

In Chinese herbal medicine, pain is often thought to be due to poor or obstructed blood flow.  In this tradition, ji xue teng is classified as an herb that invigorates the blood, and is mainly used to treat menstrual problems.  Ji xue teng is used to relieve menstrual pain or an irregular or absent cycle, especially where this may be due to blood deficiency such as anemia.  It is also prescribed for certain types of arthritis pain, as well as for numbness of the hands and feet.  Limited investigation indicates that ji xue teng may be anti-inflammatory and may lower blood pressure.  A decoction is used in the treatment of stomach aches, breathlessness, anemia in women, menstrual irregularities, vaginal discharge (bloody discharge and leukorrhea), numbness and paralysis, backache and pain in the knees, seminal emission, gonorrhea and stomach ache.  The plant is used as a tonic to induce the growth of red blood cells.  The plant contains the antitumor compound rotenone.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_IJK.htm
http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/MI/Millettia%20reticulata.htm
http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/millettia-reticulata/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Millettia_reticulata_-_Villa_Taranto_(Verbania)_-_DSC03727.JPG
http://plantfinder.sunset.com/sunset/plant-details.jsp;jsessionid=4480AF3819EAEBA7175464241110C55E?id=1919

http://www.plantsofperfection.com/Plant_descriptions/Millettia_reticulata.html

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Millettia+reticulata

 

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