I was wondering what I could share with you this Easter-time,
and I thought that you would enjoy these photos I took in the Spring
of the beautiful pink and delicate new leaves of the
Toona Sinensis (or Cedrela) along our driveway.
I say this name with confidence now, but only thanks to help from twitter friend Dingo Gully, who helped me to identify this tree. Thanks to quite a number of others too, like Liz from
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things who sent out the ID alert!
From the Meliaceae family, I understand that the Cedrela's are from South East Asia, and this one is Chinese in origin.
This tree could possibly be a problem here I think, as it suckers quite readily. Luckily our cattle keep it at bay! But it is particularly lovely in Spring as you can see.
According to my "What Tree is That" by Stirling Macoboy Cedrela's are related to Cedars in name only, and this is because the heartwood strongly resembles Cedar wood, in colour, grain and aromatic fragrance.
Apparently the fruit, bark and roots of this pretty tree
are used in Chinese Medicine.
I learned something else about this tree today from The Herb Society of America, which surprised me.
Toona is extensively cultivated for the edible young shoots which can be boiled and eaten. The flavor of the young leaves is similar to onions and crushed leaves have an oniony smell. In China, the fresh young leaves and shoots are a popular aromatic vegetable used in stir-fries, egg dishes, for pickling and for seasoning. Tender leafy shoots are minced and often used in combination with eggs.
Come Spring I think I'll be having to give this a go!
I particularly love this photo. I think it has an ethereal quality, which I really like. It was pure luck but that's OK! |
Enjoy your Easter, and if you'd like to share here what Easter means to you , or what you are doing this weekend, please do. I would love to hear.