Uses
Toxic parts
None known
Edible uses
Notes
Young shoots and leaves - cooked[1][2][3][4]. This is a highly esteemed food in China[5], it is said to resemble onions in flavour and is usually boiled. Rich in vitamin A, the leaves also contain about 6% protein, 1% fat, 6.6% carbohydrate, 1.5% ash[6]. The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[4]. Fruit[3][4] . No further details are given.
Fruit
Leaves
Unknown part
Material uses
Wood - very durable, easily worked, takes a good polish. It is a very valuable timber, resembling mahogany, and is used for making furniture, window frames etc[5][7]. The wood is delicately scented and is burnt in temples as an incense[8].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[10]. Stored seed germinates better if given a 3 month cold stratification[11]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold in their first winter outdoors. Root cuttings, 4 - 5cm long, taken in December and potted up horizontally in pots in a greenhouse[12].
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Toona sinensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Thrives in most fertile well-drained soils in a sunny position[10]. Prefers a rich loamy soil[13], growing well on calcareous soils[1]. The fully dormant tree is hardy to about -25°c[10], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The tree is fast growing[10] and is said to resist all insects and diseases[14]. It is also long-lived[8]. A very ornamental tree[13], the flowers diffuse a powerfully rich scent[8]. It is cultivated in China for its edible leaves[5].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Toona sinensis. 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 Toona sinensis.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
- ? 1.01.11.21.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-01-01)
- ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-01-01)
- ? 3.03.13.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-01-01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-01-01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae. ()
- ? 6.06.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-01-01)
- ? 7.07.17.27.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
- ? 8.08.18.28.3 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-01-01)
- ? 9.09.19.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
- ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
- ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-01-01)
- ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-01-01)
- ? 13.013.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-01-01)
- ? Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()