A small tree grows to about 15 m tall. The leaves are deciduous, arranged alternately, simple ovate with an acuminate tip, 8–16 cm long, and with a serrated margin. If a leaf is torn across, strands of latex exuded from the leaf veins solidify into rubber and hold the two parts of the leaf together. The flowers are inconspicuous, small and greenish; the fruit is a winged samara with one seed, very similar to an elm samara in appearance, 2–3 cm long and 1–2 cm broad.

Analgesic, anticholesterolemic, aphrodisiac, depurative, diuretic, hepatic, hypotensive, sedative, tonic and vasodilator (stem bark); astringent (flowers, fruits).

Plants for a Future

Aucubin, eucommin-A (plant); betulin, betulinic acid (bark); chlorogenic acid (leaf); linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid (seed oil)

To treat lower back pain, aching knees and to prevent miscarriage (bark); lowers blood pressure, reduces the absorption of cholesterol (stem bark); in the treatment of impotence, frequent urination, lumbago, weakness of the lower part of the body, aching back and knees, hypertension and threatened abortion.