Phellodendron chinense

Chinese species

RutaceaePhellodendron

Chinese cork tree in the citrus or Rutaceae family is native to many provinces in China; it can grow up to 15 m tall.

  • Leaves are odd-pinnate, up to 35 cm long, with up to 7–15 ovate leaflets, leaflet blades ovate-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, 8–15 cm long 3.5–6 cm across, papery, base cuneate to attenuate and oblique, apex ending in a sharp or somewhat tapering point; leaves turn yellow in the fall.
  • Species is dioecious; male and female flowers are in panicles on separate trees, flowering in May-June.
  • Fruit is globose to ellipsoid, 1–1.5 cm in diameter; seeds are 6–7 mm long and 3–5 mm across; ripening is in September-November.

Contributors

  • Philippe de Spoelberch