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Does the North Schisandra and Schisandra are the same?
Schisandra is a genus that includes two main species: Northern and Southern Schisandra. Southern Schisandra, also known as *Schisandra rubriflora*, is an evergreen woody vine commonly found south of the Yangtze River. It's widely used for vertical greenery but cannot survive the cold winters in regions north of the Yangtze. On the other hand, *Schisandra chinensis*, often called "Liaowuwei" or "Shanzha," belongs to the Schisandraceae family and is a highly versatile plant used both medicinally and as a food source. It's native to northeastern China, North China, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, and other provinces.
Morphologically, Schisandra has stems that can grow between 6 to 15 meters long, with a reddish-brown color, smooth surface, and slight ridges. The leaves are alternate, thin, and broadly elliptical, with sparse fine teeth along the edges. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy, while the underside is pale green. The petioles and veins often have a reddish tint. The flowers are unisexual, ranging from milky white to pink, and emit a strong, pleasant fragrance. They bloom from May to June. The fruits are spherical, turning dark red when ripe, and grow in clusters that droop like spikes. The fruiting season typically occurs from September to October.
Ecologically, Schisandra thrives in warm climates and is quite cold-resistant. Seedlings sown in the same year can withstand temperatures as low as -21°C. It prefers shaded environments and young plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The plant is adaptable to poor soils but grows best in well-drained sandy loam. With its attractive tree shape, bright red berries, and sweet-sour flesh, it’s a popular ornamental plant. The seeds, however, are bitter, spicy, and slightly salty, which is why it’s named "Schisandra," meaning "five-flavor fruit" in Chinese due to its complex taste profile.