Trochodendron aralioides ("Yamaguruma")

Japanese name: ヤマグルマ （山車）
Scientific name: Trochodendron aralioides

[Overview]
An evergreen tree growing in the mountains, reaching 20 m in height and 1 m in diameter.
It bears large winter buds.
The leaves are simple and alternate, clustered at the branch tips in a whorl-like arrangement; they are obovate, 5–14 cm long and 2–8 cm wide, and glossy on the upper surface.
The veins run in a pinnate pattern.
The leaf margin has blunt, wavy teeth.
The petiole is 2–9 cm long.
A raceme 7–12 cm long at the branch tip bears 10–20 flowers 1–1.2 cm across.
The flowers are yellowish green and have no petals; the 40–70 stamens are conspicuous.
The fruit is a cluster of 5–12 follicles that looks like a capsule.

[Uses]
The bark was left to rot in water and pounded in a mortar to make birdlime.
It was also used for flypaper and the like.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by cuttings.
It dislikes being transplanted when mature.
It prefers sunny, well-drained, fertile soil with moderate moisture.
It also tolerates shade.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply organic fertilizer in winter.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
It is regarded as a primitive angiosperm for reasons such as its wood lacking well-developed vessels for conducting water and xylem fibers.
It was formerly the only species in its genus and family, but it is now one of 2 species in 2 genera in one family, together with the genus Suisenju.

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