Nigaki
Picrasma quassioides
Family: Simaroubaceae
What it is like
Picrasma quassioides is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 7 m (23ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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): 10
Where it is found
Lowland woods and hills. Forests in the higher hills of the W. Himalayas, in ravines under forests of deodar, oak, fir etc, 1800 - 2400 metres.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit. Small and red. The fruit is a berry about 7mm in diameter. Young buds (the report does not say if they are flower or leaf buds) are used to make a tea. A bitter substance called quassin' is extracted from (the bark of?) the tree and can be used as a hop substitute in brewing beer.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The wood contains a number of medicinal compounds and has been shown to be anthelmintic, antiamoebal, antiviral, bitter, hypotensive and stomachic. It increases the flow of gastric juices. It is used in Korea in the treatment of digestive problems, especially chronic dyspepsia. A decoction of the stem bark is bitter, febrifuge and tonic. The leaves have been used to treat itchy skins. (Probably acting by killing body parasites.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Antiviral: Treats virus diseases
Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating:
The bark is used as an insecticide. Another report says that it is the wood that is used. It is a substitute for the insecticide quassia, which is obtained from the wood of a tropical tree. Quassia is a relatively safe organic insecticide that breaks down quickly and is of low toxicity to mammals. It has been used as a parasiticide to get rid of lice, fleas etc. Wood - hard, fine and close grained. Used for mosaic, utensils etc.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Requires a fertile humus-rich moisture-retentive loam in a sunny position. Plants also succeed when growing in semi-shade. This plant is only hardy to zone 10 (not tolerating frosts) but there are healthy trees in many parts of Britain including one 8.5 metres tall at Kew in 1981, one 8 metres tall seen growing in light woodland shade at Cambridge Botanical Gardens where it was bearing fruit in the autumn of 1996 and one 9 metres tall at Westonbirt in 1980.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Root cuttings 4cm long in December. Plant them out horizontally in pots in a greenhouse.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist