Why should we distinguish Toona sinensis from Ailanthus altissima?
If it's just because it smells bad, people in China eat stinky tofu, and everyone likes to eat stinky tofu. But Ailanthus altissima really should not be eaten. According to TCM literature, Ailanthus altissima is "less toxic" and only used for external washing of decoction.
Toona sinensis leaves have been used as excellent vegetables and Chinese herbal medicines since ancient times, which have the effects of invigorating stomach, promoting qi circulation, diuresis and detoxification. Regular use can increase appetite, help digestion, prevent food poisoning, and also eliminate moisture.
What's the difference between Toona sinensis and Ailanthus altissima?
1, the number of blades is different. Ailanthus altissima has odd pinnate compound leaves, while Toona sinensis generally has even pinnate compound leaves.
2. Leaves taste different. The crushed leaves of Toona sinensis have a smell similar to "leek", and the crushed leaves of Ailanthus altissima have a smell similar to "Haizhou Changshan".
3. Toona sinensis leaves have light green roots and yellow-brown tips; The roots of Ailanthus altissima leaves are dark green, and the tips are grayish green.
4. The edges of Toona sinensis leaves have sparse serrations; The leaves of Ailanthus altissima don't. Ailanthus altissima has glands at the base of lobular margin, and the glands protrude obviously, often 2 ~ 6 points; Toona sinensis didn't.
5. The fruit is different. Ailanthus altissima fruit is samara, while Toona sinensis fruit is capsule.
6. The trunk is different. The trunk of Ailanthus altissima does not crack, but the trunk of Ailanthus altissima often falls off in pieces.
How to distinguish Toona sinensis from Ailanthus altissima
1. Toona sinensis is a deciduous tree with dark brown bark and flaky stripes. Branchlets are stout, with large and oblate leaf scars, five vascular bundles inside, even pinnate compound leaves (rare pinnate compound leaves), fragrant, oblong or broadly lanceolate, tapering at the top, asymmetrical at the base, entire or with inconspicuous serrations. Widely distributed, native to central China, it is now cultivated in southern Liaoning, north China to southeast and southwest. Like light, not tolerant of shade, suitable for growing in deep and fertile sandy soil, growing well in neutral, acidic and calcareous soil, resistant to mild salinization and toxic gases.
2. Ailanthus altissima belongs to Ailanthus altissima, with smooth skin, large leaf scars, inverted oval shape, 9 vascular bundles inside and odd pinnate compound leaves. Leaflets 13-25, ovate-lanceolate, tapering at the apex, with 1-2 pairs of glands at the base, with white powder on the back of the whole upper middle part and hairless or hairy along the midvein. Widely distributed between 22 and 43 north latitude, it is very drought-resistant and barren. Water-resistant, wet and moderately saline-alkali soil, which can grow in slightly acidic and calcareous soil; Strong resistance to smoke and sulfur dioxide.
Characteristics of Toona sinensis and Ailanthus altissima
In the south where I live, I can't eat Toona sinensis at home except in restaurants. There are many Ailanthus altissima in the south and Toona sinensis trees and Toona sinensis buds in the north. Ailanthus altissima is poor, and the barren soil is also happy; Toona sinensis is a land choice, and it costs a little money to raise it. It's also a relief to think like this. They deserve two fates and have to live separately.
The fruit of Ailanthus altissima is a medicinal material, and the seeds of Ailanthus altissima, Ailanthus altissima, Eichhornia crassipes in the drawer of Chinese medicine shop are all its prescription names. Bitter, astringent and cool, it can clear away heat and dry dampness, stop dysentery and stop bleeding. Ailanthus altissima, the root bark or bark of Ailanthus altissima, is also a medicinal material, similar to fruit, and is a commonly used astringent. "Rihuazi Materia Medica" contains: "The housewife suffers from bloody collapse, postpartum hemorrhage, leucorrhea, intestinal wind diarrhea, intestinal slippery diarrhea, and decreased stool." "Newly revised Materia Medica" contains: "Toona sinensis leaves are bitter and toxic, and are mainly used to wash sores, scabies and wind gangrene, and they are adjusted by boiling leaf juice. Pigskin liver . "
Toona sinensis has no such effect, but its wood is precious. Europeans call Toona sinensis "China Mahogany".
Toona sinensis and Ailanthus altissima have their own advantages and are equally divided.