Species profile 1: Schisandra grandiflora
The Schisandraceae is a small, basal angiosperm family of mostly woody, climbing plants. They are primarily native to East and Southeast Asia, with some species extending into tropical regions of North America. The family includes three recognised genera: Illicium, Kadsura, and Schisandra.
Schisandra grandiflora (Wall.) Hook.f. & Thomson
This is a deciduous climber native to the Himalayas and Tibet. It’s valued for its peachy flowers that appear in spring, along with its attractive foliage. The clusters of red berries that appear in late summer have been used in traditional medicine. While relatively inconspicuous when not in flower or fruit, this species is a valuable seasonal highlight in Kew’s Woodland Garden.
The specimen at Kew (catalogue number 1908-4309*1) was originally donated by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and is currently climbing on a Quercus robur. No further information about the plant’s origin is available in the database.
