Hydrangeaceae FAMILY

Hydrangea aspera

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

There is a report that the fresh plant contains the toxin hydrogen cyanide[ 243 Title Medicinal Plants of Nepal Publication Author Publisher Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. Year 1993 ISBN - Description Terse details of the medicinal properties of Nepalese plants, including cultivated species and a few imported herbs. ]. In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Botanical Description

Hydrangea aspera is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 4.00 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - China to the Himalayas.

HabitatScrub and forest in the mountains, 1200 - 2700 metres from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China and Burma[ 51 Title Flowers of the Himalayas. Publication Author Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Publisher Oxford Universtiy Press Year 1984 ISBN - Description A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses. , 184 Title Shrubs. Publication Author Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Publisher Pan Books Year 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2 Description Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars. ]. Dense forests or thickets in valleys or on mountain slopes[ 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. ].