Stinking goat, Japanese changshan, White pepper
Orixa japonica

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub. It grows 2.4 m tall and is wide spreading. It can spread 3.5 m wide. The leaves are dark green and alternate. The leaves are 12 cm long. The leaves have an aroma. The leaves turn pale yellow in autumn. The flowers are small and have 4 petals. They are cup shaped and green. Male and female flowers are separate but on the same plant. Female flowers are borne singly and male flowers are in small groups. The fruit are brown and have 4 lobes. They are 18 mm across.

There is only one Orixa species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows naturally in the mountainous regions of China, Korea and Japan. It is fully frost hardy. It needs a well drained fertile soil. It needs an open sunny position. It will tolerate dry conditions. It grows in the shade of broad-leaved deciduous forests between 750-1,300 m altitude in China. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit - spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ko-kusagi

Synonyms

Celastrus japonica (Thunb.) K. Koch.; Euodia ramiflora (A. Gray); Ilex orixa (Lam.) Spreng.; Orixa racemosa Z. M. Tan; Orixa subcoriacea Z. M. Tan; Othera orixa Lam.; Sabia cavaleriei H. Lev.; Sabia feddei H. Lev.;