Mu jiang zi
Litsea pungens

Family: Lauraceae

What it is like

A small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 3-10 m tall. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are alternate. Often leaves are grouped near the tips of young branches. The leaf stalk is 1-2 cm long. The leaf blade is oval or sword shaped and 4-15 cm long by 2.5-5 cm wide. It narrows to a sharp tip and is rounded or wedge shaped at the base. There are 5-7 pairs of side veins. There are 8-12 flowers in a cluster. Flowers form before the leaves. Fruit are round and black and 7-10 mm across.

There are 200 or 400 Litsea species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows along stream banks on sunny slopes between 800-2300 m altitude in China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China (country/location of origin), Myanmar, SE Asia, Tibet

How it is used for food

The oil from the fruit is used to give a sweet smell to food. It is also used for high grade spices and Vitamin A. The fruit (seeds) are used as a spice.

Edible parts

Fruit - oil, fruit - spice, root - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mu ku, Neng bing, Ris-thpah-rkang-do, Si bi a si, Ta er

Synonyms

Litsea kongdingensis H.S.Kung;