Is firethorn a woody plant? An introduction to the firethorn plant

Other names for firethorn

Jiubingliang, Jiumingliang, Huobaguo, Chiyangzi, Hongzici, Taiwan red fruit, Hongzhu, Jixiangguo, Zhuangyuanhong; in some dialects it is also called Suanpanzhu.

Growing habits of firethorn

Firethorn is highly adaptable. It likes a warm environment with plenty of sunlight and prefers loose, fertile soil.

Its main propagation method is sowing, though seeds are easy to collect; sow them in autumn as soon as they are collected, or take softwood cuttings from young branches in summer. When transplanting young cuttings, a soil ball must be kept around the roots to improve the survival rate.

For potted plants in northern regions, move them indoors for care from October to November; in the Jiangnan region, they can overwinter outdoors.

The uses of firethorn

Ornamental value: Firethorn is evergreen year-round, with soft, small branches and leaves and waxy leaves. It blooms with white flowers in spring and bears red berries in autumn.

Edible value: Firethorn berries are rich in organic acids, protein, amino acids, vitamins and various mineral elements. They can be eaten fresh or processed into various drinks.

Medicinal value: The root bark, stem bark and fruit of firethorn are rich in tannins and can be used to extract tanning material. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting salivation and quenching thirst, and astringing to stop diarrhea.

Beauty value: The red berries contain biological whitening substances that can effectively inhibit the activity of various pigment enzymes in the human body, preventing the skin from producing pigment.

Health benefits: According to scientific identification, the red berries are rich in water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, C and D, and the minerals calcium, phosphorus and iron, as well as dietary fiber. They have a clear therapeutic effect on diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, constipation and liver detoxification. They can remove waste from the body, improve internal circulation and promote metabolism, and are known as nature's best blood purifier.

Firethorn photo gallery