Medicinal Uses

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit | Edible Uses: The fully ripe fruit is sweet and edible[266]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[266].

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and so are not sure how hardy it is in the temperate zone. It is, however, very closely related to C. capitata and is likely to be of similar hardyness. The following notes are for C. capitata. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[1], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[188]. Prefers semi-shade[219]. This species is hardy to between -5 and -10°c[184], it grows very well in S.W. England, self-sowing and fruiting prolifically in Cornish woodland gardens[11, 49, 59, , 104, 182] and doing well by the coast where it tolerates sea winds[182]. Plants are not hardy in the London area, being killed even when on a south-facing wall[11]. Another report says that it succeeds as far north as Edinburgh. Squirrels are very fond of this fruit[166]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Forests, slopes, streamsides at elevations of 300 - 2200 metres[266].