Łódź, Park Źródliska

Native to the eastern and south-central United States. Ornamental plant. Edible plant - the roasted leaves are used as a tea substitute, they do not contain caffeine(!). Herbal plant - the berries are laxative, emetic and diuretic, they are used in the treatment of children's diarrhoea, colic and indigestion; a tea made from the leaves has been used as a treatment for measles, colds etc; the leaves have also been used externally in the treatment of sore eyes, sore and itchy skin; a tea made from the bark was once used in the treatment of malaria and epilepsy, it has also been used as a wash for sore eyes and itchy skin. Usable plant - fairly wind-resistant, this species is also used in shelterbelt plantings; a dye has been made from the berries - the colour is not given; wood is light, tough, not strong, close grained, highly shock resistant, easily worked; a strikingly white wood, it is valued for use in veneers and inlay; the wood can also be stained to imitate ebony.