May Chang, Litsea cubeba, aromatic litsea is an evergreen tree or shrub 5–12 meters high in the Lauraceae family, native to China, Indonesia, Taiwan and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is called "mountain pepper" 山胡椒 (shān hújiāo) by the Chinese, and maqaw (馬告) by the Atayal. The tree produces a fruit harvested for its lemony essential oil. The timber is sometimes used for making furniture and crafts. Plant parts are also used in medicine.
Philip and Tammy visit James Murray who has recently moved to the Wulai 烏來 area to a slopeland property facing southeast at around 6oo meters elevation. James' dad, visiting from New Zealand, has been helping James get the place more livable. We take a tour of the property and give suggestions regarding soil protection, gardening for food, rainwater harvesting, mushroom cultivation, composting toilets, beekeeping, etc.