Practical
Plants

Phellodendron chinense

Chinese Cork Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Phellodendron genus in the family Rutaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
10 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

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.

This species is used in Chinese herbalism in the same way as P. amurense[9][11]. These uses are as follows:- 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[8][11]. A strongly bitter remedy, the bark acts strongly on the kidneys and is regarded as a detoxicant for hot damp conditions[9]. Recent research has shown that the plant is useful in the treatment of meningitis and conjunctivitis[11]. Huang Bai should only be used under professional supervision and should not be take during pregnancy[11]. The bark is alterative, antibacterial, antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, bitter stomachic, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, skin, vasodilator and tonic[13][14][3][4][5][12][9]. 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[9][11]. It is commonly used in conjunction with Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis in a preparation called 'injection of three yellow herbs'[9]. It is given intramuscularly for upper respiratory tract infections[9]. The bark of 10 year old tress is harvested in the winter or spring and dried for later use[9][11]. The fruit is expectorant[8].

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

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy, Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Central China.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
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[7]. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification, sow in late winter in a cold frame[15][2]. 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[15]. 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[15].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moisture retentive well-drained deep rich loam in full sun[1][7]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[9]. Succeeds on shallow chalky soils[10]. Grows best in areas with long hot summers[7]. Plants are gross feeders and require a rich soil if they are to perform well[1]. Dormant plants are fully hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to at least -20°c[6][7], but the young growth is liable to damage from late spring frosts[1][6][7]. The leaves are aromatic[6]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

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  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  11. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. PFAFimport-281

    Unresolved citation

    ↩

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  15. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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