Camptotheca acuminata

Happy Tree, Cancer Tree, or Tree of Life
Family: Nyssaceae
Origin: China
USDA Zone: 8-11?

Ethnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.

Subtropical or temperate zone plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time

Handsome tree from China, growing to 75' for warm zones. Easily grown from seed and can be kept pruned to desired size indoors with ample warmth and bright light. If cut back to ground level it seems to grow back even faster. Attractive ovate leaves have prominent venation. This tree produces a drug called "Camptothesin" that has shown considerable potential in cancer research.

Camptotheca is a genus of medium-sized deciduous trees, native to southern China and Tibet. They are usually included in the tupelo family Nyssaceae, but sometimes included (with the tupelos) in the dogwood family Cornaceae.

Close related species - Davidia involucrata.

Seeds of Camptotheca acuminata

Link to this plant:

https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/camptotheca_acuminata.htm