Castanopsis hystrix
| Castanopsis hystrix | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 98' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Castanopsis hystrix
Propagation: Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist (putting it in a plastic bag that is placed in the salad compartment of a fridge works well). Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing[1]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[1]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in mid summer if possible, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Give the young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[2]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[1].
Although cold hardy in Britain, this species really requires a warm continental climate if it is to prosper and it does not do well in the maritime climate of this country[3].
The seed takes two growing seasons from fertilization to maturity[4]. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[5].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat: Forests in the eastern Himalayas to 2400 metres[6]. Broad-leaved evergreen forests from near sea level to 1600 metres in China[4].
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[7]. Small but a good flavour[6][8]. The seed is up to 14mm in diameter[4].
Flowers[8]. No more details are given, but the flowers are very small and produced in catkins[K].
Usage: Wood - hard. Used for construction, fencing, fuel etc[6][7].
Pollinators: Wind, midges
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Also Known As: C. frutescens.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.