Lindera megaphylla aka Hei Ke Nan

Lindera megaphylla is an evergreen tree in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Its native range runs from central and southern China into Indo-China. Plants For A Future also lists Taiwan within its range. Kew places it in a subtropical climate. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. In gardens, it can stay much smaller than wild trees. Some cultivated plants grow as shrubs rather than trees.

Plants For A Future gives a height of 33 feet [10 metres]. However, it stresses that garden plants often remain well below this. It records a tree at Kew reaching 20 feet [6 metres]. The leaves have a strong scent and serve as incense. This makes the foliage useful beyond its role in the garden. The species has separate male and female plants. Grow both sexes if you need seed; one plant cannot fertilise itself.

Choose a site with partial shade or light filtered through trees. A woodland garden edge suits the growing conditions described. The soil should hold moisture yet provide a fertile root zone. Plants For A Future recommends adding leaf mould and avoiding lime. The species accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Its listed pH range runs from very acid to neutral. Moist soil suits it better than dry ground. These needs matter when choosing a permanent planting site.

Cold limits where this tree can grow outdoors. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. It also reports tolerance of about −5 to −10°C. Young plants need more shelter from cold than older ones. Keep seedlings under glass through their first winter. Plant them out in early summer, then protect them next winter. Hard pruning can take growth back to the base. Spread major cuts over several seasons rather than cutting all at once.

Sow fresh seed under glass in autumn, before it dries out. Stored seed loses its ability to sprout within a short time. Other methods include layering and half-ripe cuttings taken in July. Plants For A Future records no known food or medicinal uses. It also lists no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Its weed assessment gives no warning of weed potential. The supplied species evidence gives no named pest or disease problems.