Amur Cork Tree

Rutaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Northeast Asia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Grows to 50 or 60 feet tall with wide-spreading branches; opposite, compound leaves about a foot long, shinny dark green; leaves turn bright yellow in early fall.

FLOWERS:

Greehish-yellow flowers in spring.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Black fruits dispersed by birds in fall and late winter; damaged trees sprout readily from base.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

A long-lived species that can establish itself in shady forest understory. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; rock outcrops and stone walls.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Heat reduction in paved areas; salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Roots are bright yellow, medicinally active. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.