Phellodendron amurense var. amurense(Amur cork tree, "Kihada")
Japanese name: キハダ（黄檗、黄膚） Scientific name:Phellodendron amurense var. amurense
[Overview]
A deciduous tree up to 15 m tall, found along mountain streams and similar places.
The bark has a well-developed cork layer and is vertically fissured; the inside of the peeled bark (inner bark) is bright yellow.
The leaves are opposite, odd-pinnately compound, 15–35 cm long, and consist of 5–11 leaflets.
The leaflets are ovate to oblong, slightly whitish on the underside, with blunt, fine serrations on the margin.
Dioecious.
Conical corymbs at the branch tips bear many flowers.
The flowers are small, yellow-green and 5-petaled.
The fruit is spherical, about 1 cm across, gives off a citrus scent when damaged, and ripens black.
[Uses]
The inner bark is used as medicine and as a dye.
The wood is used for furniture and implements.
[Cultivation]
Propagate mainly from seed.
Cuttings are also possible, but the rooting rate is low.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, moderately moist, fertile soil.
It tolerates partial shade.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer around the plant as fertilizer in winter.
Rust can occur.
[Notes]
The Japanese name comes from the yellow inner bark.
