Gutta-Percha (Eucommia ulmoides)

Family: Eucommiaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Eucommia ulmoides is a deciduous Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves. No further details are given. — No further details are given.

Habitat & North American Range

Mountainous regions. Lower mountains, valleys or sparsely forests at elevations of 300 - 500 metres in Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang provinces. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)