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Useful Tropical Plants

Lithocarpus litseifolius

(Hance) Chun

Fagaceae


Specimens reported from China as the Indian species Lithocarpus polystachyus (Wallich ex A. de Candolle) Rehder are referable to Lithocarpus litseifolius[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

+ Synonyms

Lithocarpus mucronatus (Hickel & A.Camus) A.Camus

Lithocarpus synbalanos (Hance) Chun

Pasania litseifolia (Hance) Schottky

Pasania lysistachya Hu

Pasania mucronata Hickel & A.Camus

Pasania synbalanos (Hance) Schottky

Pasania wenshanensis Hu

Quercus litseifolia Hance

Quercus synbalanos Hance

Synaedrys litseifolia (Hance) Koidz.

Synaedrys synbalanos (Hance) Koidz.

Common Name: Baise Tiancha

No Image.

General Information

Lithocarpus litseifolius is an evergreen tree growing up to 20 metres tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. This is one of several species that are used to make Chinese sweet tea, a beverage that is drunk for refreshment and also for its various health-promoting properties
Lithocarpus litseifolius has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - northeast India, Myanmar, southern China, Vietnam, Laos

Habitat

Broad-leaved evergreen forests, dense forests; at elevations from 500 - 2,500 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height15.00 m
PollinatorsInsects, Wind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus litseifolius is a plant of the moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations up to 2,500 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. The varous species in this genus usually grow in regions where there can be year-round rainfall, generally disliking dry seasons.
In the wild, Lithocarpus species are mainly found in well-drained soils, often growing on slopes. In cultivation they tend to be tolerant of a range of soil textures and to prefer an acid to neutral pH. Young plants usually grow sucessfully in the shade of woodland, but older trees like a more sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
This species is harvested on a large scale for its tender leaves that are used to make a tea and also healthy food additives. The young leaves can be harvested two or three times per year in areas along the Yangtze River[
1979
Title
Population structure and genetic diversity of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Fagaceae) assessed using microsatellite mark
Publication
Nordic Journal of Botany 000: 001-009, 2016
Author
Cheng J. et al
Website
http://10.1111/njb.01111
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
1756-1051
Description
 
]..

Edible Uses

The tender leaves and young flowering spikes are used to make a refreshing beverage known as tiancha (sweet tea), which also has beneficial medicinal properties[
1979
Title
Population structure and genetic diversity of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Fagaceae) assessed using microsatellite mark
Publication
Nordic Journal of Botany 000: 001-009, 2016
Author
Cheng J. et al
Website
http://10.1111/njb.01111
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
1756-1051
Description
 
].

We have no specific information for this species, but the seed (or acorn) is a rich source of carbohydrates and would almost certainly have been eaten by traditional peoples, especially in times of shortage. The main disadvantage is that the seed is also likely to contain bitter-tasting, astringent tannins. Traditionally, these tannins would have been largely removed either by leaching the seeds in water or by baking them. The seeds can be eaten raw but would usually be cooked whole or be dried and ground into a powder that can then be used to make a gruel, or as a thickener in soups and stews, or as an additive to flour for making bread, cakes etc[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
The broadly conical, subglobose acorn is 8 - 15mm long and 12 - 20mm wide with a thin, bony shell[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Medicinal

This is one of four species that are used in Guangxi, China to make the ethnomedicine tiancha (sweet tea). This species is known as Baise-tiancha. The other three species are Rubus suavissimus S.K.Lee (Yaoshan-tiancha); Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. (Guiping-tiancha); and Mycetia sinensis (Hemsl.) Craib (Longzhou-tiancha)[
918
Title
Journal of Ethnobiology. Vol. 12
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ethnobiology.org
Publisher
Society of Ethnobiology
Year
1992
ISBN
0278-0771
Description
A periodical with articles on the various uses of plants by native peoples.
].
Tiancha is used chiefly in the treatment of hypertension and diabetes[
918
Title
Journal of Ethnobiology. Vol. 12
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ethnobiology.org
Publisher
Society of Ethnobiology
Year
1992
ISBN
0278-0771
Description
A periodical with articles on the various uses of plants by native peoples.
].

The tender leaves and young flower spikes of this species have been used to make Chinese sweet tea since ancient times. They contain compounds that yield a sweet flavour and have been used to make sweeteners and healthy sweet tea beverages[
1979
Title
Population structure and genetic diversity of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Fagaceae) assessed using microsatellite mark
Publication
Nordic Journal of Botany 000: 001-009, 2016
Author
Cheng J. et al
Website
http://10.1111/njb.01111
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
1756-1051
Description
 
].
The flavonoid dihydrochalcone has been found to be abundant in this tree. This compound is known to have anti-allergic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and bacteriostatic effects, as well having the ability to improve memory, prevent diabetes, and lower blood pressure and blood lipid levels[
1979
Title
Population structure and genetic diversity of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Fagaceae) assessed using microsatellite mark
Publication
Nordic Journal of Botany 000: 001-009, 2016
Author
Cheng J. et al
Website
http://10.1111/njb.01111
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
1756-1051
Description
 
].
Triterpenoids, also detected in this tree, have been used to relieve coughing[
1979
Title
Population structure and genetic diversity of Lithocarpus litseifolius (Fagaceae) assessed using microsatellite mark
Publication
Nordic Journal of Botany 000: 001-009, 2016
Author
Cheng J. et al
Website
http://10.1111/njb.01111
Publisher
 
Year
2016
ISBN
1756-1051
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The bark of most species is rich in tannins and can be used as a dye and preservative for ropes etc[
899
Title
Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Vols 1 - 6
Publication
 
Author
Soepadmo E.; Saw L.G.; Chung R.C.K. (Editors)
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur.
Year
2002
ISBN
983-2181-27-5
Description
A flora of the woody plants of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, often giving details of plant uses.
].

Propagation

Seed - it quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool, but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a nursery seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[
11
Title
Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
Publication
 
Author
Bean. W.
Publisher
Murray
Year
1981
ISBN
-
Description
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-11-10. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Lithocarpus+litseifolius>

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