What kind of woody plant is Serissa?

Flowers & Gardening Jan 1, 1970By Emily Carter 0 views

It blooms in June, and from a distance it looks as if wrapped in silver, like snow falling in June, elegant and lovely, hence its name. Serissa likes light shade and fears the sun, generally growing at the foot of mountains or beneath trees.

Other names for Serissa

Mantianxing, Baimagu, Suiye Dongqing.

Growth habits of Serissa

Serissa likes sunlight and is also fairly shade-tolerant; it dislikes fierce winds and scorching sun, and in hot midsummer weather it should be given light shade.

In June it opens fine white flowers; the tree is very small with sparse branches and leaves, full of quiet charm, and can be grown as a potted plant. It likes light shade and fears the sun; it is often found beneath the trees and leaves of deep mountains. It is divided and planted in spring, or propagated by cuttings during the plum rain season, and is best watered with weak tea. It is not strict about temperature; in South China it is evergreen, and in the southwest it is semi-evergreen.

For pot culture, a moist growing medium that contains humus, is loose and fertile, has strong permeability and is slightly acidic should be used, and then it grows well.

Distribution of Serissa

Serissa is mainly distributed in China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangdong and other southeastern and central provinces. It is also found in Japan and Taiwan, China. It mostly grows wild among mountain forests and beside streams and rocks. It is a subtropical tree species, fond of warm and humid climatic conditions and of loose, fertile, well-drained soil in half shade and half sun; neutral and slightly acidic soil suits it especially well, and its cold resistance is not strong, so overwintering in a greenhouse in winter requires temperatures above 0°C. Its sprouting ability and tillering ability are relatively strong, so it tolerates pruning and is also easy to shape. In southern gardens it is often planted in the open ground beneath tree canopies and among shrubs; in the north it is mostly grown in pots for ornament and overwintered indoors. It is also a good material for bonsai.

Medicinal value of Serissa

It dispels wind and releases the exterior, clears heat and drains dampness, and relaxes the sinews and invigorates the collaterals. It is used for colds, cough, toothache, acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, acute and chronic hepatitis, enteritis, dysentery, malnutrition in children, high blood pressure headache, migraine, rheumatic joint pain, and leukorrhea; the stem is burned to ash and applied to the eyes to treat eye nebula.

Flower language of Serissa

Serissa is willing to play the supporting role in love, endless love, care, bringing good luck, and a pure heart.