Oleaceae FAMILY
Forsythia suspensa
Forsythia suspensa
Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
3/5
Safety & Hazards
Leaves contain the glycoside Phillyrin[ 179 Title Famine Foods listed in the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Publication Author Reid. B. E. Publisher Southern Materials Centre; Taipei Year 1977 ISBN - Description A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating. ], its potency is unknown.
Botanical Description
Forsythia suspensa is a deciduous shrub with slender, spreading or weeping branches; it usually grows up to 3 metres tall, though it can be much taller when scrambling up rocks and walls. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated for its medicinal properties and is often grown as an ornamental.
Habitat & Origin
Origintemperate
Native RangeE. Asia - eastern and central China.
HabitatThickets or grassy areas on slopes, valleys and gullies; at elevations from 300 - 2,200 metres[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].