Alangium platanifolium

Family: Cornaceae

What it is like

A shrub which loses its leaves. It grows to 3-4.5 m high and spreads to 2 m across. It has a crooked, low branching habit. It has leaves like the plane tree. They have 3-5 shallow lobes. The leaves are about 10 cm wide. The stalks are red. The flowers are white and hang down. The petals curl back as the flowers open. The fruit are purple to black.

There are 17-20 Alangium species.

Where it is found

It grows naturally in woodlands between 1200-2100 metres in Western China. It grows in any moderately fertile well drained soil. It requires full sunlight and a sheltered position. It does best in an acid soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ppeonnamu

Synonyms

Marlea platanifolia Siebold. & Zucc.; and others