Common Name:

General Information

Eurya chinensis is an evergreen shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for use as a tea substitute and as a source of firewood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia.

Habitat

Thickets in hilly land or by streams at elevations under 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the subtropics.
Prefers a moderately fertile free-draining moisture retentive soil in sun or part shade with shelter from cold drying winds[]. Probably best grown in a well-drained lime-free humus-rich soil[].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. No further details are given. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[].

The leaves are used as a tea substitute or to adulterate China tea[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - soft, close grained. Used mainly as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or sow in early spring in a greenhouse[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm with a slight heel, mid summer in individual pots in a frame. High percentage[].