Leptopus chinensis
Credits
Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Leptopus chinensis' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Common Names
- Caucasian Spurge
- Andrachne
Synonyms
- Andrachne colchica Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Boiss.
Other taxa in genus
A stoloniferous deciduous shrub to c. 1 m, of dense, erect habit, and with very slender, quite glabrous, leafy shoots, the terminal portions of which die back in winter. Leaves alternate, set about 1⁄4 in. apart on the shoots, ovate, 1⁄3 to 3⁄4 in. long, about half as wide, rounded at the base, blunt at the apex; quite glabrous, and with thickened, entire margins; dull green. Flowers unisexual, green, 1⁄4 in. across, on thread-like stalks 1⁄2 to 5⁄8 in. long, successively along the young shoots throughout the summer and early autumn; the females solitary; males in axillary clusters. Fruit pale brown, 1⁄4 in. across., a dry capsule of three divisions, each division two-valved.
A native of the Caucasus, introduced to Kew in 1900 from the Botanic Garden of Tiflis, but probably cultivated long previously. Formerly placed in Andrachne, together with Phyllanthopsis phyllanthoides. Cannot be said to deserve a place in gardens except for its botanical interest. Thrives in ordinary loam in full sunshine, and can be increased by cuttings in August.
