Contents
Description
Picrasma Quassioides, commonly known as the Chinese bitter ash, is a deciduous tree native to China and Japan. It belongs to the family Simaroubaceae and can grow up to 10 meters tall. The bark of the tree is grayish-brown, and it has small greenish flowers that bloom in the summer. The fruit of the tree is a small, round, and green drupe that turns red in the fall.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Simaroubaceae |
| Genus | Picrasma |
Appearance
The Chinese bitter ash has a narrow, upright form with a rounded crown. Its leaves are pinnate, with 5-9 leaflets that turn yellow in the fall. The tree has a smooth, grayish-brown bark that becomes furrowed and rough with age. Its small greenish flowers bloom in the summer and are followed by small, round, and green drupes that turn red in the fall.
Care Guide
The Chinese bitter ash is a hardy tree that requires minimal care. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. The tree can tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay and sandy soils. Water the tree deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in the fall to prepare the tree for winter. Fertilize the tree in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer. The Chinese bitter ash is hardy to USDA zones 5-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Chinese bitter ash is relatively pest and disease-free. However, it can be susceptible to verticillium wilt, a fungal disease that causes the leaves of the tree to wilt and die. To prevent the disease, avoid planting the tree in areas with poorly draining soil, and prune any infected branches. The tree can also be attacked by aphids and scale insects, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Habitat
The Chinese bitter ash is native to China and Japan and grows in a wide range of habitats, including forests, riverbanks, and mountainsides. The tree prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.
Question and Answer
Q: How tall can the Chinese bitter ash grow?
A: The Chinese bitter ash can grow up to 10 meters tall.
Q: What is the color of the Chinese bitter ash’s bark?
A: The bark of the tree is grayish-brown.
Q: What is the Chinese bitter ash’s hardiness zone?
A: The Chinese bitter ash is hardy to USDA zones 5-8.
Q: What is the name of the family that the Chinese bitter ash belongs to?
A: The Chinese bitter ash belongs to the family Simaroubaceae.
Related Plants
- Picrasma Excelsa
- Picrasma Chinensis
- Picrasma Japonica
- Simarouba Glauca
- Ailanthus Altissima
References
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=911
- https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287336&isprofile=0&basic=picrasma
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/chinese-bitter-ash/chinese-bitter-ash-information.htm
