A species of flowering plants of the Schisandra genus of the Schisandraceae family. Deciduous vine up to 10-15 m long, in the northern regions it rarely exceeds 4 m in length. The stem is up to 2 cm in diameter, curling on a support, covered with wrinkled, flaky, dark brown bark. Shoots with smooth yellowish bark.
The leaves are elliptical or obovate, 5-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide. They have a wedge-shaped base and a pointed apex, unclearly toothed along the edge, slightly fleshy, glabrous above, dark green, pale below, with slight pubescence along the veins. Petioles are pinkish-red, 2-3 cm long. Both leaves and stems emit a lemony scent.
Schisandra chinensis is a monoecious plant with dioecious flowers. However, in some years the vine may only bear male flowers. Flowers up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with a distinct aroma, are white, but towards the end of the flowering period they turn pink, clustered at the base of one-year branches, 3-5 from one leaf axil, on independent drooping pedicels 1-4 cm long.
After flowering, the receptacle grows, from one flower a racemose multi-berry up to 10 cm long is formed, planted with juicy red berries.
The flowering period is in May - June, lasting 10-14 days. Pollinated by insects, including bees, which collect nectar and pollen. Honey plant. Schisandra fruits ripen in September. Partially remain hanging in the winter. In the northern regions it hardly bears fruit.
It is photophilous, but at an early age it can withstand strong and prolonged shading. It can grow on poor podzolized loams and sandy loam floodplain soils. Drained soils in the valleys of small mountain rivers and streams are optimal for growth and fruiting.
It does not tolerate stagnant waterlogging and swampiness. It does not tolerate either a lack of moisture in the soil or dry air (leaves wither). It is quite resistant to frost, only sometimes spring frosts kill the blossoming leaves.