A deciduous tree that grows 80 to 100 feet tall and maintains a fairly narrow oval crown, even as it grows older. Bark light gray-green and smooth when young, later developing flat-topped ridges and conspicuous white colored furrows in diamond shaped patterns. Twigs red-brown in color, often with a shiny appearance or a waxy bloom; stipules are large and encircle the twig; buds are elongated and valvate, resembling a "duck bill". Leaves alternate, simple, palmately veined, orbicular, 4-lobed with an entire margin, 4 to 8 inches long, notched to flat top. Somewhat shaped like a tulip, light green to green. Flowers monoecious; perfect, showy, resembling a large tulip, but high in the tree, 2 1/2 inches long, with yellow-green petals and an orange corolla, appearing in late spring to early summer. Fruit an oblong (cone-like) aggregate of samaras (2 inches long), deciduous at maturity; each samara is 1-winged, 1 1/2 inches long, and curved upwards at seed cavity (resembling the front keel of a boat).

Used domestically as a diuretic, tonic and stimulant (root); aphrodisiac (bark).

Plants For A Future

The bark is said to exert powerful effects on the heart and nervous system. A tea is used in the treatment of indigestion, dysentery, rheumatism, coughs, fevers etc. Externally, the tea is used as a wash and a poultice on wounds and boils. The root bark and the seeds have both been used to expel worms from the body.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 740, CRC Press July 2002.