[2] Sphaerostema japonicum A.Gray Schisandra chinensis, whose fruit is called magnolia berry[3] or five-flavor fruit (Chinese: 五味子; pinyin: wǔwèizǐ, in Korean: 오미자, romanized: omija, Japanese: ゴミシ, romanized: gomishi),[4][1][5] is a vine plant native to forests of Northern China, the Russian Far East and Korea.
[1] The 'five flavour' name comes from the fact that its berries possess five basic flavors: salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter.
[8][5] Sometimes, it is more specifically called běi wǔwèizi (北五味子; 'northern five-flavor berry') to distinguish it from another schisandraceous plant, Kadsura japonica, that grows only in subtropical areas.
The Chinese Pharmacopeia distinguishes between S. chinensis and S. sphenanthera (南五味子; nán wǔwèizi; 'southern five-flavor berry').
[7] The genus Schisandra was first published by André Michaux in 1803, the name deriving from the Greek words schizein ('to split') and andros ('man'), referring to the separate anther cells on the stamens.
In earlier years, it was assumed that the species belonged to the family of Magnoliaceae, hence the name Chinese magnolia-vine.
[11] Schisandra chinensis is a perennial, deciduous woody vine plant found at high latitudes and in cool climatic conditions.
It commonly grows in natural coniferous or mixed forests or along streams and climbs up other trees or shrubs to reach optimal light conditions.
[6] The prostrate woody stems usually grow 8–9 metres (26–30 ft) tall,[12] but can reach a length of up to 25m.
[9] The fruits of Schisandra chinensis are red berries which are smooth and shiny, have a spherical shape and reach 5–10 mm in diameter.
Schisandra grows in acidic (pH of 6.5 – 6.8), deep and loose sandy loam soils.
[16] Schisandra can be integrated in agroforestry farming systems as it climbs up trees to get better light conditions.
[18] On a large-scale production Schisandra plants are grown similar to grape vines and are tied up on stakes in vertical columns.
[21] Plants can be propagated by seed or by layering in spring or autumn, or in the summer time by using semi-ripe cuttings.
The seeds are sown at a density of 30 g/m2 and are then covered with fine soil and straw, pine needles or a grass mat.
[21] In spring, summer or fall pruning of Schisandra vines is necessary to improve ventilation and light conditions, ensure an endogenous nutrition status and increase the number of female flowers and thus overall fruit yield.
[23] For the cultivation of young Schisandra plants a nutrient rich soil is required, wherefore mostly manure is applied as organic fertilizer.
[29] To control fungal diseases on Schisandra different fungicides are applied such as pyraclostrobin, fluquinconazole, triforine, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, thiophanate-methyl, mancozeb, metalaxyl, benomyl and hexaconazole.
[29] Prior to fungicidal application, prevention measures should be applied to lower the risk for fungal outbreaks.
[29] Prevention measures to control insects in Schisandra cultures could be: To lower infections of soil-borne diseases carbendazol hydratable powder or amobam can be applied after sowing.
The Ainu people indigenous to Japan used this plant (called repnihat) as a remedy for colds and sea-sickness.