Euodia officinalis
Family: Rutaceae
What it is like
Euodia officinalis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft 5in). The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Thickets and wood margins.
E. Asia - China in W. Hubeh and E. Sichuan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The fruit is analgesic, appetizer, cardiotonic, cytotoxic, hypotensive and stomachic. It is used in Korea to treat intestinal disorders, pain and feelings of chill. The fruit contains several alkaloids including evodiamine and rutaecarpine. It has shown some effect upon neurotransmitter activity, including serotonin antagonism and the inhibition of brain dopamine receptors.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Appetizer: Improves the appetite
Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.
Cytotoxic: Destroys body cells. Used in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, where it is targeted against the cancer cells.
Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, preferring a good loamy soil. This report suggests that the plant might be hardy in Britain but gives no details. This species might be no more than a synonym for E. rutaecarpa.
Propagating it: Seed - sow February in a greenhouse. Variable germination rates. 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood (preferably forced in a greenhouse), 5 - 8cm with a heel, June to August in a warm greenhouse. Fair to good percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist