Southern Magnolia Vine

Schisandra sphenanthera Origin: China Improvement status: Unknown Seeds per packet: ~20 (15 berries, w/ 1-3 seeds per berry) BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED Life cycle: Perennial Southern magnolia vine is the lesser-known but similarly potent Schisandra berry plant used in traditional chinese medicine. Also called "na wu wei zi", this Schisandra species is also used for food, medicine, wine, vinegar, and soap. It's a perennial vine hardy to Zone 7 at least, and probably most of Zone 6.  Both species of Schisandra (sphenanthera and the more common chinensis) are perennial woody vines native to temperate and subtropical East Asia. The bright red berries with a unique flavor are used fresh or most often dried as both a flavoring and an herbal medicine. The name "Five Flavor Berry" comes from the complex nature of the berry's taste, combining sweet, sour, bittrer, salty, and pungent flavors. In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis is called "wu wei zi" and is used m