Skimmia arborescens

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 8 m tall. The trunk is 20 cm across. The leaves are oval and 5-18 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 2-5 cm long. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit is bluish-black and round. It is 6-8 mm across with 1-3 seeds.

There are 5 or 6 Skimmia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in shady, moist mountain areas between 1,000-2,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for flavouring. They have a musk like flavour.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ner, Barru, Shalangli, Patrang, Nair, Nihar, Kathur-chara, Gurlpata, Nayalpati, Patar, Nera, Timburnyok

Synonyms

Skimmia laureola Hook.f. in part, non Sieb. & Zucc.;