Kuromi-no-nishigori

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

クロミノニシゴリ　

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © Flora of China

Symplocos paniculata Miq. © CFH Nature Museum

Botanical classification

Symplocos paniculata Miq.

Order:

Ericales

Family:

Symplocaceae

Synonyms:

Cotoneaster coreanus H. Lév.

Myrtus chinensis Lour.

Palura chinensis (Lour.) Koidz.

Palura chinensis var. pilosa Nakai

Palura sinica (Ker Gawl.) Miers

Prunus mairei H. Lév.

Prunus paniculata Thunb.

Symplocos chinensis var. vestita (Hemsl.) Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Symplocos hunanensis Hand.-Mazz.

Symplocos simaoensis Y.Y. Qian

Symplocos sinica Ker Gawl.

Symplocos sinica var. vestita Hemsl.

Plant growing area

Native to northern Burma, South Vietnam and East Asia.

Bhutan, Burma, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Xizang, Zhejiang), India (Sikkim), Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam.

Grows on slopes in mixed forests, from 800 to 2500 m altitude.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

Symplocos paniculata is a deciduous shrub about 3m high but it can reach 10m high. The flowers are white and fragrant forming clusters. Flowering occurs from April to June The fruits are small blue-violet drupes, ripe in autumn. They are consumed as jams or jellies.

This shrub prefers well-drained and slightly calcareous soils. Sun exposure to partial shade is needed for its growth.

It has been introduced to many countries as an ornamental.

The bark, astringent and tonic is used for the treatment of intestinal disorders, ulcers and sprains.
A yellow dye is extracted from the leaves and bark of the shrub. It is mostly used as a base for red dyes.

The ashes produced by combustion of the plant are also used as mordant because they contain a high concentration of aluminum. Indeed Symplocos are bio-accumulators of aluminum, leaves storing naturally alum. The leaves, dried and ground, can also be directly employed.

Japan:

Symplocos paniculata is mentioned from the Edo period (1603-1868) as a mordant for violet shikon dyeing (Lithospermum erythorizon). The ashes are used as they contain a high amount of aluminum.

Preparation process for making paper

Japan:

Dyeing of paper is performed in two ways: pulp dyeing (sukizome) or sheet dyeing (hitashizome by dipping or hikizome by brushing).
To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by the small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Korea:

The papers are dyed in three ways: dyeing of the pulp (Seonyeombeop), dyeing of the sheet by dipping, brushing and spraying (Huyeombeop ), combination of the both methods (Honyeombeop). Then the paper can be hammered.

Vernacular names

Chinese

Bai tan	白檀

Japanese

Kuromi-no-nishigori	クロミノニシゴリ

Korean

Geomnorinjaenamu	검노린재나무
Norinjaenamu	노린재나무

English

Asiatic sweetleaf
Sapphire berry

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure. The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Mordant

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Kuromi-no-nishigori

Symplocos paniculata Miq.