Chengkou Huangbai

Chengkou Huangbai

　　Huangbai, also known as huangpi, phellodendron, or Sichuan huangbai, is a woody plant of the Rutaceae family. Like eucommia, it is primarily used for its bark in medicine. Medicinal uses: clearing heat and detoxifying, purging fire and drying dampness.

　　　　Huangbai thrives in moist mountain valleys and prefers dry conditions while fearing waterlogging. Due to the cool, humid climate and numerous valleys and ravines on Jinggang Mountain, it is found in relatively large quantities there.

　　　　Huangbai is a deciduous tree, typically growing to about 10 meters in height, though some larger specimens can reach 15 to 20 meters. The outer layer of its bark is gray with a thick cork layer and deep fissures; the inner layer is bright red. The leaves are opposite, with 5 to 13 leaflets each, and are oblong-lanceolate or oblong-ovate in shape. Huangbai trees produce flowers and fruit; the flowers are beautiful, usually with 5 to 8 petals. Male flowers have 5 to 6 stamens, while female flowers have only 5 to 6 vestigial staminodes. The flowering period lasts 5 to 6 months, and the fruit takes 6 to 10 months to mature.

　　Source: People's Government of Chengkou County, Chongqing Municipality