Tetradium daniellii Seeds | Bee-bee Tree
LATIN NAME: Tetradium daniellii
COMMON NAME: Dyebark Evodia
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Dyebark Evodia (Tetradium daniellii) is a tree in the rue family. It is a tree of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained ground. When it flowers, local bees and other insects make good use of it. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Bee-bee tree is a close relative of Evodia rutaecarpa, the source of wu zhu yu — one of the ‘hot’ drugs of Chinese medicine — and shares the genus’s characteristic alkaloids evodiamine and rutaecarpine, which show thermogenic, vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies (evodiamine is even investigated as a capsaicin-like TRPV1 ligand). The drug proper is a potent, professionally used herb; the ornamental tree is gentle by contrast, blooming in high summer when little else does and drawing pollinators in clouds.
Like other members of the rue family, Tetradium daniellii draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Dyebark Evodia for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Dyebark tree is a fine, bright tree of warm garden and study collection. It is a fine, bright tree of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Give young trees deep, moist bed, and flat-topped clusters will rise in summers to come. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
Tetradium fruit, Wu Zhu Yu, is a major Chinese warming herb for cold headaches and digestive discomfort, its alkaloids evodiamine and rutaecarpine intensively studied; the bee-bee tree form is also one of the best late-season pollinator trees.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Dyebark Evodia, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Given the right start, Dyebark Evodia is a long-term garden companion. Even moisture while the seed is chitting is the main thing; afterwards it largely looks after itself.
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