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Platycladus orientalis
| Family Name: | Cupressaceae |
| Synonyms: | Biota orientalis, Thuja orientalis, Platycladus stricta, Thuja chengii, Thuja orientalis var. argyi |
| Common Name: | Oriental Arbor Vitae, Oriental Thuja, Chinese Abor-Vitae, Tree of Life, 侧柏 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Gymnosperms (Non-Flowering Seed Plants) (Conifer) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Conical |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China, Japan |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | The leaves are triangular scales with a blunt point and arranged in decussate pairs. Leaves emit an odor when bruised. |
|---|---|
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: The ripe seeds, leaves and twigs are used in Chinese medicine. The seeds, sweet to the taste, are used as a sedative in the treatment of minor headache, insomnia, palpitation and as a coagulant. The leaves are bitter-sweet and astringent, used to treat fever, bleeding of the nose, vomiting of blood and blood in the urine.They are also used to increase the menstrual flow. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Hedge / Screening, Focal Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Scaly |
| Foliar Modification | Scale-like |
| Foliar Type | Compound |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Cone or Strobilus Type | Arcesthida (Cupressaceae [Juniperus], Ephedraceae [Ephedra]) |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1776 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3069 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |