Phellodendron amurense seed
LATIN NAME: PHELLODENDRON AMURENSE
COMMON NAME: Amur Cork Tree, Amur Cork
The Phellodendron amurense, or Amur cork tree, is one of the most distinctive and useful of the cold-climate trees, and its thick, corky, grey bark, its compound, bright-green leaves which turn yellow in the autumn and its small, black berries have made it a tree of the cold woodlands and the large gardens across the regions of the East Asia. It grows as a medium-sized to large, deciduous tree of the citrus family, reaching up to fifteen metres or more, with the thick, corky, grey, furrowed bark and the spreading, rounded crown bearing opposite, compound, bright-green leaves with the many oval, toothed leaflets which turn a bright yellow in the autumn, and bearing, in the early summer, the small, greenish-yellow flowers in the clusters, followed by the small, black, aromatic berries on the female trees. It is a species of the flowering tree, native to the cold woodlands of the East Asia, while it has been cultivated for its corky bark and its autumn colour, and it is known as the Amur cork tree or the Amur cork.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
The Amur cork tree has a real and distinguished place in research. It has been studied in the chemistry and the natural-products science, since the Phellodendron amurense contains a range of compounds including the berberine and the other alkaloids in its bark, and the researchers have examined the bark, its constituents and its composition, while the study of the citrus family plants and their chemistry has drawn attention in the international natural-products press. The plant has also been studied in the horticulture and the landscape science, since the Amur cork tree is a distinctive, cold-hardy tree for the large garden and the park, and the researchers have examined its cultivation, its propagation and its value in the landscape, while the study of the cold-hardy trees has been of continuing interest. The species has also been studied in the forestry and the ecology, since it is a tree of the cold woodlands and a food source for the birds which eat its berries, and its role in the ecosystems has been examined, while the thick, corky bark and the bright autumn colour of the Amur cork tree have been of interest to the botanists and the gardeners. For a tree of such distinction, the Phellodendron amurense has a rich and distinguished record of research.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
To grow the Amur Cork Tree from seed, the Amur cork tree is a medium-sized to large, deciduous tree of the cold woodlands, bearing the compound, bright-green leaves which turn yellow in the autumn and the small, black berries. Its black berries are a food for the birds, and its spreading, rounded crown gives a fine shade in the large garden and the park, while its thick, corky bark gives a winter interest in the landscape. Its economic value is real: the Amur cork tree is prized as a distinctive, cold-hardy tree for the large garden and the park, and its value has drawn attention in the international horticultural and forestry press, while the corky bark and the bright autumn colour have made it a favourite of the large gardens and the parks, and the tree is a fine addition to the large garden, the park and the woodland. To raise the Amur cork tree, sow the seeds in pots of moist, open soil in a cool, bright place, keep them gently watered, and grow the little trees on in the sun.
sow the seeds in pots of moist, open soil in a cool, bright place, keep the young cork tree gently watered, and grow the little trees on in the sun.
Medicinal use of Amur Cork Tree: 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. A strongly bitter remedy, the bark acts strongly on the kidneys and is regarded as a detoxicant for hot damp conditions. Recent research has shown that the plant is useful in the treatment of meningitis and conjunctivitis. Huang Bai should only be used under professional supervision and should not be take during pregnancy. The bark is alterative, antibacterial, antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, bitter stomachic, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, skin, vasodilator and tonic. 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. It is commonly used in conjunction with Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis in a preparation called “injection of three yellow herbs”. It is given intramuscularly for upper respiratory tract infections. The bark of 10 year old trees is harvested in the winter or spring and dried for later use. The fruit is expectorant.
Edible parts : Fruit. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter and has a strong scent of turpentine.
Other uses : A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark. An oil obtained from the seed has insecticidal properties similar to pyrethrum. Wood – heavy, hard, strong, close grained. Used for furniture. The bark is a cork substitute.
Phellodendron amurense is commonly known as Amur Cork Tree or Huang Bai (in Chinese medicine)
Native to China, Korea, Amur, and Japan. Grows in the valley of Amur River as the boundary between China and Siberia.
Desired for its attractive shape, bark, and foliage.
One of the top 50 Fundamental plants in Chinese medicine.
Short trunk with low branches make a wonderful shade tree.
Grayish-brown bark is ridged and corky; yellowish-green leaves turn yellow in autumn to match yellow flowers.
Fast grower, drought tolerant, and disease/insect resistant
Yellow dye is made from inner bark, and is used as a cork substitute
Heavy, strong, close-grained wood is used to make furniture
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE:
Top 50 Fundamental plants in Chinese medicine
Bark – treats meningitis, dysentery, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and liver cirrhosis; combined with Baikal Skullcap and Coptis chinensis to make “Injection of the 3 Yellow Herbs”- injected intramuscularly to treat upper respiratory tract infections.
Bark – Anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis
Bark – Diueretic and detoxicant to treat kidney problems and urinary tract infections
Leaves – rid body of free radicals, similar to vitamin E.
Fruit oil – contains flavonoids and alkaloids to treat pancreatitis, reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and to treat various skin diseases
Growing Recommendations:
- Keep seeds in a cool, dry location until ready to germinate.
- Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
- Fill a plastic bag with moistened seed-starting mix and bury seeds in soil. Place in refrigerator to cold-stratify for 20 days. Check frequently to make sure soil doesnt dry out, and transplant any sprouted seeds immediately.
- After the cold stratification period, fill seedling trays with seed-starting mix and sow seeds 1/2″ deep. Water gently to settle seeds in soil. Place in a warm, sunny window out of direct sunlight.
- Germination will occur between 1-3 weeks. Some seeds will sprout all at once; others may take longer to break dormancy. Be patient and dont discard your seeds prematurely!
- Transplant seedlings into larger pots as needed, and set outide after all danger of frost has passed.
Germination: 85%