Thuja orientalis
| Thuja orientalis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Thuja orientalis (common name: biota)
Propagation: Seed - best sown when ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates best if given a short cold stratification. It can then be sown in a cold frame in late winter. Plants make very little growth in their first year[1]. When they are 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 into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
If there is sufficient seed it is worthwhile trying a sowing in an outdoor seed bed in April[1]. Grow the plants on for at least two years before planting them out in the winter.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a shaded frame. Forms roots by the end of September but should be overwintered in a frame[1].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September in a cold frame. Forms roots in the following summer. Plant out in autumn or spring[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a moist loamy soil[2]. Grows best on dry freely draining sites, often alkaline in reaction[3]. Does well over old building rubble[3]. Tolerant of dry dusty sites and of atmospheric pollution in towns[4]. Prefers a sunny sheltered position[5].
Easily transplanted[2].
There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value.
Produces seed freely in cultivation[3].
A slow growing tree, it does not really thrive in Britain[6], especially in the western part of the country[3]. The best specimens are to be found in towns or cities such as Oxford and very sharply drained soils in gardens[7].
Plants cannot regenerate from old wood. Pruning is not normally necessary for this species, any pruning that is carried out should be done with care[5].
Plants are susceptible to attacks by honey fungus[5].
Range: E. Asia - W. China, N. Korea. A small wild population is also found in N.E. Iran.
Habitat: Steep dry rocky valley slopes[6][3].
Edibility: Seed - after removing the bitterness[8][9]. No more details are given, but the bitterness in seeds is usually removed either by leaching them in water or by thoroughly cooking them[K].
Medicinal: This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[10].
The leaves are antibacterial, antipyretic, antitussive, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, refrigerant and stomachic[11][12][10][5]. Their use is said to improve the growth of hair[11][12][5]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, haemorrhages, excessive menstruation, bronchitis, asthma, skin infections, mumps, bacterial dysentery, arthritic pain and premature baldness[5]. The leaves are harvested for use as required and can be used fresh or dried[5]. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women[5].
The seed is aperient, lenitive and sedative[11][12][10]. It is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous disorders and constipation in the elderly[5].
The root bark is used in the treatment of burns and scalds[10].
The stems are used in the treatment of coughs, colds, dysentery, rheumatism and parasitic skin diseases[10].
Usage: Tolerant of regular trimming, though not into old wood, it can be grown as a dense hedge[2].
A yellow dye is obtained from the young branches[13].
Wood - durable in the soil, moderately hard, close grained, rather coarse grained, light, soft, brittle. Used for construction, cabinet making, cooperage[13][14][2][15].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: The leaves are toxic if eaten[5]. The plant can also cause skin allergies in sensitive people[5].
Also Known As: P. stricta. Biota orientalis. Thuja orientalis. L.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Vines, Robert. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.