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Common Name:

General Information

Lindera obtusiloba is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Thickets and copses[]. Valleys, thickets in dense forests, forests on mountain slopes; at elevations from near sea level to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	6.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a lime-free rather moist soil[]. Prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight in a fertile moisture-retentive soil enriched with leafmould[].
Plants can be pruned right back to the base if required, though any drastic pruning is best spread over several seasons[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

The young buds and leaves are used as a tea substitute[, ].
Young leaves are fried and used as a Buddhist ceremonial dish[].

Medicinal

An oil from the seed is used medicinall[].

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the plant is used as a hair oil[]. It is probably obtained from the seed[].
The oil from the seeds is used for light industrial purposes[].

The wood is used in carpentr[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame[].
Layering.