Thuja occidentalis American arbor-vitae (Cupressaceae) Evergreen tree

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Thuja occidentalis
American arbor-vitae
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Thuja occidentalis plant species is found in Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Illinois and Minnesota. It is a member of the Cupressaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as American arbor-vitae.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Thuja occidentalis
Common Name:  American arbor-vitae
Family:  Cupressaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  An essential oil from the leaves is poisonous if taken in large doses[7, 65]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[165].

Mature Height:  15   Mature Width:  5

Habitat:  Swamps and cool rocky banks of streams[43], forming dense almost impenetrable forests[82, 165]. Also found on rocky soils[226]. Plants are usually found on neutral to alkaline limestone soils[226].

Edible Uses: Pith of young shoots - cooked[105]. It can be added to soups[177]. Pleasantly sweet, the pith was used as the basis of the soup according to one report[183]. Inner bark - cooked. It is only used in times of emergency or scarcity[213]. The inner bark can be dried and ground into a powder, then used with wheat or other cereals in making bread, biscuits etc. The leafy branchlets are used as a tea substitute[159, 177, 257] but are probably best avoided by pregnant women[165]. An aromatic flavour[183]. Another report says that the foliage and bark are used, the resulting tea is a good source of vitamin C[226].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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