Litsea cubeba
| Litsea cubeba | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 23' |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Litsea cubeba (common name: mountain pepper)
Propagation: Seed
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Sunny slopes, thickets, sparse forests, roadsides, watersides, 500 - 3200 metres in Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang[1].
Edibility: Root[2].
Fruit[2]. The source of an essential oil, it is also used as a flavouring[2].
Medicinal: Antiphlogistic, expectorant[3].
The root, stem, leaves and fruits are all used as medicine for eliminating windevil and dispelling the cold in the body, allaying swelling and pain[1].
The fruit is used as medicine is known as 'Bi Cheng Qie'[1].
Usage: The flowers, leaves and fruit walls are used for extracting an essential oil rich in citral which is used as a perfume and in medicine[1].
The fruit core contains 61.8% of oil which is used for industry[1].
The wood is used for general furniture and construction, etc[1].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References