| English name: |
EUCOMMIA |
 |
| Polish name: |
EUKOMIA WIĄZOWATA |
| Latin name: |
Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. |
| Natural habitat: |
Central China |
| Height: |
in its natural habitat: up to 20 m, in Poland up to 8 m |
| Characteristics: |
It is a small dioecious tree. Inconspicuous, wind-pollinated flowers appear before leaves develop. Ovate leaves exude gutta-percha when torn – a sticky thread-like substance similar to natural rubber. The fruit is a samara with one seed, slightly similar to an elm samara in appearance. In Polish climate the tree often freezes in harsh winters. |
| Additional information: |
During the Pleistocene, this species had a much wider range and was known to appear in Europe as well. In Poland, preserved fossils were discovered in, among others, Silesia. In China, Eucommia is widely used in phytotherapy and is an important herb used in natural medicine. Bark and branches extract is used to reduce blood pressure and as a general strengthening agent. |
