A decidious tree growing up to 20m. Leaves large paddle shaped; up to 50cm long, glaucous beneath, distinctly bum-shaped with a deep notch at the apex. Flowers in early summer with parchment-white, red-centered fragrant saucers borne at the end of the shoots. Attractive red cones of seed an added bonus in autumn.

Expectorant, stomachic and tonic (bark)

hou pu, chuan pu, Complementary and Alternative Healing University

The bark is used to treat cough with profuse phlegm and asthma and rids off dampness and stagnation in spleen, stomach indigestion, abdominal distension, flatulence, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 416, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.