Lindera obtusiloba -

The Lindera obtusiloba is an Asian deciduous small tree or large shrub related to our bay laurel and camphor tree. It is interesting for its luxuriant foliage, aromatic when crushed, which turns to beautiful yellow shades in autumn. Its yellow flowering is discreet but early and pleasantly fragrant. Hardy, this beautiful shrub thrives only in non-calcareous, humus-rich, well-drained soils that do not dry out too much in summer. If you can provide it with these growing conditions, it will become a beautiful specimen to place either alone or at the back of a border.

The Lindera obtusiloba belongs to the Lauraceae family. It is a botanical species native to wooded and mountainous regions of Asia, particularly Korea, Japan, and China. It is a small tree or large shrub reaching 3 to 6 m in all directions, forming a rounded and spreading crown. Its growth is dense and bushy, spreading with age. The leaves of Lindera obtusiloba are arranged alternately on the branches, measuring between 5 to 15 cm in length. When they emerge, they are tinted with dark violet. They are broad leaves, often divided into 3 lobes pointed at their tips, with slightly toothed or entire edges. The upper side of the leaf is a deep, smooth green, while the underside is lighter and may have a slightly velvety texture. The intensity of autumn colours depends on the climate and soil. Most often, the leaves display a beautiful range of yellow tones. In particularly favourable conditions, they will also take on orange or even scarlet red hues. Flowering occurs between February and March, before the leaves appear. The small flowers are bright yellow, grouped in simple or compound umbels. As Lindera obtusiloba is a monoecious species, each plant bears distinct male and female flowers. Male flowers contain several prominent stamens, while female flowers are centred around a small ovary. Each flower, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, consists of 3 small open yellow petals on the reproductive organs. These fragrant flowers attract pollinators. After pollination, the female flowers give rise to small black drupes that ripen in late summer or early autumn. These fruits, though small, are an important food source for local wildlife, especially birds. Fruiting is enhanced if two different individuals are present in the garden.

The Lindera obtusiloba finds its place in the garden of an enthusiast of rare Asian shrubs, in favourable climate and soil conditions. It is an ornamental species useful for the small garden fauna.  It is used in a large shrub bed or within a large free hedge. It will herald the return of spring and join the autumn celebration with deciduous spindles, certain viburnums (Viburnum odoratissimum, Viburnum sargentii Onondaga'), small maples (Acer ginnala Bailey Compact ®, Acer AMPLE SURPRISE), rowans (Sorbus randaiensis) ...

Properties: Lindera obtusiloba is known in traditional Asian medicine, particularly in China, Korea, and Japan, for its medicinal properties.