Phellodendron amurense
Amur Cork Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Phellodendron genus in the family Rutaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Phellodendron
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 12 m
- Spread
- 15 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit[1][6]. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter and has a strong scent of turpentine[9].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Amur cork tree, called Huang Bai in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs, but one that should be used with care[10][13]. A strongly bitter remedy, the bark acts strongly on the kidneys and is regarded as a detoxicant for hot damp conditions[11]. Recent research has shown that the plant is useful in the treatment of meningitis and conjunctivitis[13]. Huang Bai should only be used under professional supervision and should not be take during pregnancy[13]. The bark is alterative, antibacterial, antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, bitter stomachic, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, skin, vasodilator and tonic[15][18][4][5][7][10][11][14]. It is taken internally in the treatment of acute diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice, vaginal infections including Trichomonas, acute urinary tract infections, enteritis, boils, abscesses, night sweats and skin diseases[11][13]. It is commonly used in conjunction with Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis in a preparation called 'injection of three yellow herbs'[11]. It is given intramuscularly for upper respiratory tract infections[11]. The bark of 10 year old trees is harvested in the winter or spring and dried for later use[11][13]. The fruit is expectorant[10].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Bitter
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Hypoglycaemic
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark[7]. An oil obtained from the seed has insecticidal properties similar to pyrethrum[17]. Wood - heavy, hard, strong, close grained. Used for furniture[19]. The bark is a cork substitute[19].
- Product or use
- Cork
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Insecticide
- Product or use
- Oil
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - N. China and Manchuria.
- Habitat
- Forests in valleys and on mountains[19].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[9]. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification, sow in late winter in a cold frame[20][3]. Germination is usually good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on 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 frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and over winter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[20]. Root cuttings - obtain in December and store in leafmold in a warm place for 3 weeks. Cut into 4cm lengths and plant horizontally in pots. Grow on in a warm greenhouse. Good percentage[20].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a moisture retentive well-drained deep rich loam in full sun[2][9]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[11]. Succeeds in shallow chalky soils[12]. Grows best in areas with long hot summers[9]. Plants are gross feeders and require a rich soil if they are to perform well[2]. Dormant plants are fully hardy in Britain[8], but the young growth is liable to damage from late spring frosts[2][8][9]. The leaves are aromatic[8]. This species is occasionally cultivated for timber in S.E. Europe[16]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00