Spur-leaf
Tetracentron sinense
Wheel tree family (Trochodendraceae)
![Natural resource](https://botanischetuinen.nl/themes/nvbt/assets/images/theme_icons/NAR.png)
Not as primitive as it seems
The genus Tetracentron contains only one species, T. sinense. The tree can reach a height of 40 m and comes originally from the foothills of the Chinese Himalayas. The tree has dark green, heart-shaped leaves. The small, inconspicuous, yellow-green flowers are in fact the most striking part of the tree: petals and sepals seem to be absent and only the most basic elements of the flower, with pistils and stamens, are recognizable.
Although it looks like a primitive plant, research has shown that the ancestors of this tree had an inflorescence with coloured petals, which have since disappeared over time. Ancestors of this tree have been found world wide as fossils - not so primitive! A well-known family member that is still admired is Trochodendron aralioides, sometimes called the ‘wheel tree’.
Themes
![Natural resource](https://botanischetuinen.nl/themes/nvbt/assets/images/theme_icons/NAR.png)
Living fossil with its records extending back to the Eocene; found in Okanagan Highlands and other places in North America and Iceland. Rare. Has no vessels in the xylem.
Details
Description: | Tree, to 30 m; flowering. |
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Distributions: | China, myanmar |
Habitat: | In temperate climates along streams and forest edges and in mixed forests, on well drained, moderately damp, loamy soils preferably in semishade at 1100-3500 m in altitude. |
Hardiness: | -4 - 5 f (hardy - very cold winter) |
Flowering period: | Juni - juli |
Flower color: | White |
Notes on flowers: | Flowers small and white. |
Fruiting period: | Juli - oktober |