Health Tips

Amur Cork Tree:-

Family:-
Rutaceae

Gender: -
Phellodendron

Range: -
East Asia - North China and Manchuria.

Habitat: -
Forests in the mountains and valleys.
Physical characteristics: -
It is hardy to zone 3 and is frost tender. It is in bloom in June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is available on a given plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) The plant is not self-fertile.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can not grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Amur cork tree was introduced in the United States from East Asia to 1874. It is often planted as an ornamental. This deciduous tree can grow to a height of about 35 meter and producing a broad crown. The compound leaves are dark green and consists of five to 13 leaflets. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. Flowering occurs in June. Clusters of fleshy, black berries remain the trees in late autumn and winter. This plant has become an invasive species, because it adapts well to many different growing conditions, has no serious pests and produces many seeds.

Habitats :-
Woodland Garden, Canopy, Secondary.

Edible Uses:-
Edible parts: Fruit.
Fruit. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter and has a strong smell of turpentine.

Medicinal Uses:-

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antibacterial, Bitter, Cholagogue, Diuretic, expectorant, Hypoglycaemic, Ophthalmic, skin, stomach, vasodilator.

Amur cork tree, called Huang Bai in China, is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine, where it is regarded as one of the 50 fundamental herbs, but one that should be used with care. A strong bitter remedy, the bark is similar to the kidneys and is considered one detoxicant for hot humid conditions. Recent research has shown that the plant is useful in the treatment of meningitis and conjunctivitis. Huang Bai may only be used under professional supervision and should not be taken during pregnancy. The bark is alterative, antibacterial, rheumatism, aphrodisiac, digestive bitter, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, skin, vasodilator and tonic. It is taken internally in the treatment of acute diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, vaginal infections, including Trichomonas, acute infections of the urinary tract, enteritis, boils, abscesses, night sweats and skin diseases. It is often used in combination with Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis in a preparation called 'injection of three yellow herbs. It is given intramuscularly for upper respiratory tract . The bark of trees 10 years old are harvested in winter or spring and dried for later use. The fruit is expectorant.
Other uses:-
Cork Dye Insecticide, Oil, Wood.
A yellow dye obtained from the bark. An oil obtained from the seed insecticidal properties similar to pyrethrum. Wood - heavy, hard, strong, close grained. Used for furniture. The cork bark is a replacement.

Scented Plants:-
Leaves: Crushed
The leaves are aromatic.
Cultivation details:-
Prefer a moisture retentive well-drained deep rich loam in full Sun Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil. Succeeds in shallow limestone soils. Grows best in areas with long hot summers. Plants are gross feeders and require a rich soil if they perform well. Dormant plants are fully hardy in Britain, but the young growth is liable to damage by late spring frost. The leaves are aromatic. This species is sometimes grown for timber in SE Europe. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation:-
Seed - best sown in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification, sow in late winter in a cold frame. Germination is usually good. If they are big enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frost. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 to 10 cm with a heel, July / August in a frame. Pot in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage. Root cuttings - obtain in December and store in a warm place to leafmold for 3 weeks. Cut into 4 cm length and width of plants in pots. Growing up in a warm greenhouse.