Eucommia ulmoides (Hardy Rubber Tree)

No sample available

Native: China

Location: Cultivated in European gardens and botanical collections.

Found by western botanists in cultivation rather than in the wild. A type of rubber is produced and may be detected as thin strands by carefully breaking a leaf.

Flowers

Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants and open in February before the leaves unfold. Males are clusters of anthers; females are single green pistils and very inconspicuous.

Fruits

Fruit is rather like an elm fruit, each about 3.7cm long containing one seed.