Plant Details

Schisandra chinensis

Magnolia vine, Wu Wei Zi

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Schisandra chinensis.

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Common names

20 names · 14 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese magnolia-vine[1]
  • Magnolia vine
  • Wu Wei Zi
Other languages (13)
Dutch
  • Peperbes
  • Vijf smaken krui
  • Wu wei zi
French
  • Schisandra de Chine
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 五味子[1]
  • 北五味子[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • schizandra čínská[1]
Finnish
  • idänpalsamiköynnös[1]
Japanese
  • チョウセンゴミシ[1]
Korean
  • 오미자[1]
  • 오미자나무[1]
Polish
  • cytryniec chiński[1]
Russian
  • Лимонник китайский[1]
Slovak
  • schizandra čínska[1]
Turkish
Ukrainian
  • Лимонник китайський[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Schisandra chinensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • 오미자 — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • Chinese magnolia-vine — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • Лимонник китайский — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • schizandra čínská — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • チョウセンゴミシ — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • 五味子 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • 五味子 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • şizandra — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • 北五味子 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • Лимонник китайський — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • 오미자나무 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • cytryniec chiński — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • idänpalsamiköynnös — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.
  • schizandra čínska — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 431608; Schisandra chinensis.

General information

Scientific name: Schisandra chinensis
Accepted name (Kew): Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Schisandraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Schisandra (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Magnolia vine, Wu Wei Zi

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 9.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Gum
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Gum, Wood, Fragrant

Description

This fruit can be eaten both raw and cooked. It is often dried and taken on trips due to its nutritious properties. The fruit is rich in sugars and has a sweet and sour taste. In Russia, a paste is made from the fruit that is mixed with mini-kiwi to balance the mild acidity of that fruit. The fruit has a diameter of about 6 mm and grows in clusters of about 10 cm long. The young leaves are also cooked and used as a vegetable.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1217925; name ID 381268; Schisandra Michx.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1217915; name ID 381262; Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Schisandra chinensis

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1175152, ID 4V8HZ: Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (accepted).

    Source checked on .