Xanthoceras sorbifolium
| Xanthoceras sorbifolium | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 8' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Xanthoceras sorbifolium (common name: yellowhorn)
Propagation: Seed - 3 months cool stratification improves germination rates[1] so the seed is probably best sown in a cold frame in the autumn[K]. Another report says that the seed can be sown in a warm greenhouse in February or March[2], probably after stratification[K]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. Grow the on in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse for their first winter then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Consider giving them some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Root cuttings, 3cm long planted horizontally in pots in a frame in December or January. Good percentage[2].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[3]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Prefers a good loamy soil[4], but succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position[5][3]. Prefers a warm dry situation[5]. Requires protection from cold winds[6].
Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[5]. They grow best in areas with warm summers and dry springs without late frosts[5], the young growth can be damaged by late spring frosts[4][7]. They require summer heat in order to fully ripen their wood and to stimulate the production of flower buds[7][3]. They are subject to attacks by 'coral spot' fungus, particularly if the wood is not fully ripened and is then damaged by winter cold[7].
Flowers are produced on the previous year's wood[6]. Plants are usually slow to become established[6].
Range: E. Asia - N. China.
Habitat: Thickets in drier areas, usually on shaded slopes.
Edibility: Flowers - cooked[8][9][10]. They are usually boiled[11].
Leaves - cooked[8][9][10]. They are usually boiled[11].
Seed - cooked[8][9][12]. The seed is about the size of a pea, it is quite sweet[10], with a taste like a sweet chestnut[13]. The seed is husked and then ground into a powder and boiled[11].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.