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Eucommia ulmoides
  • Gutta-Percha

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Eucommia genus in the family Eucommiaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Eucommia ulmoides has 0 edible uses listed
Eucommia ulmoides has 0 material uses listed
Eucommia ulmoides has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves[1]. No further details are given.

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A rubber is obtained from the sap, but not in commercially viable quantities[2][3][4]. The leaves contain 3% dry weight of gutta-percha, a non-elastic rubber, used for insulation of electrical wires etc[5]. The gutta-percha is found in all parts of the tree and is extracted by alcohol[4][6]. The wood is used for making Pattens (a type of shoe with raised soles)[1].

Unknown part

Latex
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Gutta-percha, known as Du Zhong in China, is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[7]. It is considered to be an excellent tonic for the kidneys and liver, and is thought to act specifically on the lower part of the body[8]. Much interest has been aroused by Du Zhong's ability to reduce high blood pressure. In a clinical trial involving 119 people, 46% of those treated with the herb showed a significant reduction in blood pressure[8]. However, it seems to have little effect in cases of severe hypertension[8].

The stem bark is analgesic, anticholesterolemic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, hypotensive, sedative, tonic and vasodilator[2][3][9][10][1][7][11]. Its use lowers blood pressure (the stir-fried bark is stronger than raw and a decoction is stronger than a tincture) and reduces the absorption of cholesterol[10]. It is used in the treatment of impotence, frequent urination, lumbago, weakness of the lower part of the body, aching back and knees, hypertension and threatened abortion[10][8].

The flowers and the fruit are astringent[7].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Anticholesterolemic
Aphrodisiac
Astringent
Depurative
Diuretic
Hepatic
Hypotensive
Sedative
Tonic
Vasodilator

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stratify stored seed for 3 months at 2°c[12]. Germination is usually good and takes place in the first spring[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse 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, July/August in a frame[2].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Eucommia ulmoides. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds[13]. Prefers a good loamy soil[2].

A fast growing[14] and very cold-tolerant tree, withstanding temperatures down to about -20°c[5]. Trees are commonly cultivated in Russia and China, both for gutta percha and for the medicinal used of the stembark[2][7]. By using different solvents it is possible to obtain both of these products and the residue is then used for energy production[7]. This species is the only hardy rubber tree that can be grown outdoors in Britain[2].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Eucommia ulmoides. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Eucommia ulmoides.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Eucommia ulmoides
Genus
Eucommia
Family
Eucommiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[7][8][2][3][9][10][1][11]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3][4][5][6][1]
Botanic
[14][2][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    12 x 8 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

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    "image:Eucommia ulmoides4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Eucommia ulmoides4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Eucommia ulmoides4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Eucommia ulmoides4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    12. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-266" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Eucommia ulmoides4.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Eucommia ulmoides"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEucommiaceae +
    Belongs to genusEucommia +
    Has common nameGutta-Percha +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageEucommia ulmoides4.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useLatex + and Wood +
    Has mature height12 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Anticholesterolemic +, Aphrodisiac +, Astringent +, Depurative +, Diuretic +, Hepatic +, Hypotensive +, Sedative +, Tonic + and Vasodilator +
    Has primary imageEucommia ulmoides4.jpg +
    Has search nameeucommia ulmoides + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameEucommia ulmoides +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +