Ta-hsiang-yieh-tzu-shu
Lindera communis
Family: Lauraceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub or tree. It grows 3-4 m tall. The trunk can be 25 cm across. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The leaves are alternate and yellowish green underneath. They are narrowly oval and 4-9 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The fruit are oval and 1 cm long. They are red at maturity.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in broad-leaved evergreen forests in China. It grows in dry sandy places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The dried and powdered leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring. The seed oil is used in food.
Edible parts
Leaves - flavouring, seeds - oil
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed or by cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Liendan thongthuong, Xiang ye shu