Thuja sutchuenensis
Thuja sutchuenensis
Safety & Hazards
The essential oil in this plant contains thujone. Thujone is a GABA receptor antagonist which allows neurons to fire more easily. In larger doses this can cause muscle spasms and convulsions, and can also be toxic to brain, kidney, and liver cells. There has been a lot of negative press regarding thujone, particularly in the mid 19th century when thujone was reported to be more dangerous than alcohol - since shown to be exaggerated; and reports in the 1970’s that it might have a similar effect on the brain to THC (found in cannabis) – since found to be incorrect. Thujone is probably best known for its use in the alcoholic drink ‘Absinthe’. It is also found in the essential oils of many other plants that are used in herbal medicines and foods, including Arborvitae (Thuja species), some Junipers (Juniperus species), Wormwoods (especially Artemisia absinthium) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). There are some legal restrictions in various countries on the quantity of thujone that can be added to foods and drinks and these vary between countries. Side effects from consuming thujone can include sleeplessness and anxiety but, unless the pure essential oil is used, the quantity of thujone found in plants is well within safety levels. Pregnant women, however, may be advised to restrict their use of thujone-containing plants.
Botanical Description
Thuja sutchuenensis is an evergreen shrub or a tree with a pyramidal crown of spreading, ascending branches; it can grow up to 20 metres tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 30cm in diameter[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The tree produces a valuable wood, but has become too rare in the wild for commercial utilization - though it is still exploited on a local basis. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental. Thuja sutchuenensis was listed as Extinct in the Wild in 1998, but was rediscovered in October 1999 by a regional team of botanists who found individual trees growing scattered on cliffs and ridges of the deeply cleft mountain. There were no large trees, with most being small or even shrub-like because of their locations at higher altitudes and on exposed ridges. Seedlings are scarce. The more accessible trees have mostly been felled for use in home building and for making various household products. The species may also have gone through a genetic bottleneck and be facing problems of inbreeding depression. Following its rediscovery in 1999 it was re-assessed as Critically Endangered. Further surveys since that assessment have produced more information so that a new assessment is required. Decline over the last three generations is estimated to be 80%. Its known area of occupancy is less than 100 km2 and there is no longer any evidence of continuing decline. The total population is estimated to be between 5,000 and 7,000 mature individuals. On the basis of this information, this species no longer meets the criteria for listing as Critically Endangered. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].