Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus

Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus is a deciduous shrub in the aralia family. Its native range spans the Russian Far East, northern China, and Korea. It grows in woods with moist soil and along wooded riverbanks. It also occurs at forest margins and in clearings. These habitats place it in temperate parts of Asia. The name wangrangkura appears in the Chicago Botanic Garden record.

The shrub grows upright and reaches about 15 feet [4.5 metres]. It loses its leaves for winter and spreads through vigorous suckers. This spread matters when choosing space near other plants. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as a specimen plant. Plants For A Future also places it along woodland edges. It can grow at sunny margins or in dappled shade. Chicago reports that it draws birds and resists deer.

Its flowers are green, according to Chicago Botanic Garden. The two garden sources give different bloom dates. Chicago records flowers from May to June. Plants For A Future gives July to August instead. The latter source describes flowers with both male and female organs. The evidence offers no species-level detail on fruit or bark appearance.

Choose moist soil that drains well and contains plenty of humus. An open loam suits it, though it accepts sand and clay. It can grow in poor soil and withstand polluted air. Its soil pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. Full sun suits it, but it also accepts partial shade. Chicago lists USDA zones 4–8 for this shrub. Plants For A Future reports tolerance of at least 5°F [-15°C]. That source also calls for shelter from cold winds. Fresh seed can go into a cold frame in autumn. Stored seed needs warm treatment followed by cold treatment. Germination can take a long time. Cuttings and division of dormant suckers offer other ways to propagate it.

Young leaves serve as a vegetable, either raw or cooked. Dried older leaves provide a tea substitute. The bark also has a recorded use in wine. Plants For A Future describes Korean medicinal uses for root bark. These include treatments for back pain, nerve pain, arthritis, and swelling. Such records describe uses, rather than prove safe or effective treatment. The source lists no known hazards. That does not establish safety for people or pets.