Practical
Plants

Caragana arborescens

Siberian Pea Tree

a deciduous legume tree or shrub of the Caragana genus in the family Leguminosae. It is an edible nitrogen fixer and a great source of chicken fodder.

Yellow Siberian pea shrub flowers among green leaves
Caragana-arborescens-flowers.JPG by Sten (Sten Porse) ·CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized for the web

Taxonomy and growth

Caragana arborescens, or Caragana or Siberian peashrub, is a species of legume. It is a perennial shrub or small tree growing to heights of 2–6 metres (6 ft 7 in–19 ft 8 in). The plant is native to Siberia and parts of China and neighboring Mongolia and Kazakhstan. It is commonly grown throughout the northern hemisphere as a landscaping plant and ornamental. Typically, it has a moderate to fast growth rate, being able to grow one to three feet during the first year after trimming. Caragana has pod fruits which contain many seeds. These ripen in July and if left, will fall off the shrub and the seeds will grow to become a new plant very near the parent shrub. The leaves of the caragana vary from light green to dark green and are alternate and compound with many small leaflets. Somewhat showy, small, fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in spring[41].

Habit
tree, shrub
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
6 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
yellow
Pollinators
insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Reports that this plant contains toxins have not been substantiated[21]. The occurrence of cystine in the seeds is doubtful[21].

Edible uses

Plant part
Seeds
Product or use
Cooked, Fresh
Plant part
Seedpod
Product or use
Cooked
Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Salad

The yellow flowers have a taste like peas and can be used in salads to add colour and some flavour.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

In Chinese medicine the whole plant, known as ning tiao, is used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, and the orifice to the womb, and for dysmenorrhoea and other gynaecological problems[17].

Plant part
Plant
Product or use
Cancer
Plant part
Plant
Product or use
Emmenagogue

Material uses

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Dye
Plant part
Bark
Product or use
Fibre
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy, Shrub

The Siberian Pea Tree is a very versatile plant that can be used as a hedge, windbreak, or as an earth stabiliser that, as a nitrogen fixer, enriches the soil wherever it is used.

Hedge

The plant can be grown as a hedge[7].

Windbreak

It is quite wind-resistant and can also be planted in a shelterbelt; it is extremely tough and has been used as windbreaks on the Canadian prairies[14][40] (252).

Earth stabiliser

The plant has an extensive root system and can be used for erosion control, especially on marginal land[7]

Nitrogen fixer

Because of its nitrogen-fixing capacity, it is valued as a soil-improving plant[17].

Ornamental

Somewhat showy, small, fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in spring. [41]

Forage

Details
The Siberian Pea Tree is oft cited as a good fodder plant to plan into a chicken run, orchard or field. If planted in with the chickens it drops good fodder straight into their foraging zone. The fruit is a pod which splits open when ripe, scattering the seed on the ground. The seed is released gradually over a number of months. In fact the chickens like the seed so much that they often can't wait for it to drop and do their best to fly up and pick it out of the pods[40] (252).
Forage
Chickens
Details
A very good bee plant[22]. The honey created has a pleasant taste, slightly 'fruity'[41].
Forage
Bees

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Siberia to Mongolia. Occasionally naturalized in Europe in France[19].
Habitat
River banks, pebbles, sands, open forests and forest edges, gully slopes and stony slopes[22].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, nutritionally poor soil, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
Yes
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

seed

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[14]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[39]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[23][5][14]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[6]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[6]. Good percentage[4]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. There are approximately 40,000 seeds per kilo[17].

cutting

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August [Britain] in a frame[5].

layering

The seed is not dormant but may require scarification. It can also be propogated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or by layering in spring.

Seed Requires Scarification
Yes
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No
Cutting Type
semi-ripe

Cultivation

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, preferring full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[24][26][32]. Tolerates very alkaline soils[33]. Plants do not require a rich soil[24][26][25], succeeding on marginal land[27]. Established plants are drought resistant and fast growing[27][31]. Annual water requirement: 305mm - 1397mm[35]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -30°c[30], they prefer a continental climate and do not grow so well in areas that do not have very cold winters[32]. They grow and fruit very well in the eastern half of the England, even in northern areas, though they do not do so well in the wetter west[36]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun.

The Siberian pea shrub has an excellent potential to become a staple food crop. The seed is nutritious and wholesome, although rather small it is often very freely borne and is easily harvested[36]. This species has also been recommended as a nitrogen-fixing windbreak and ground cover plant that binds the soil and produces fibre and dye stuffs[34]. Caragana boisii and Caragana fruticosa are closely related to this species[28].

A very ornamental plant, some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[28]. 'Nana' is a very compact dwarf form[29] that grows slowly[26]. 'Pendula' has stiffly pendent branches but is otherwise the same as the type species[26].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[32]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[32].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

  3. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 32202/01/01

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

    ↩

  5. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  6. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  7. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩1↩2

  8. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

  12. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

  13. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

  16. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

  17. Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

  19. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  20. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

  21. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 32202/01/01 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩1↩2

  22. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  23. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 32202/01/01

    ↩

  24. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  25. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  26. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  27. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()

    ↩1↩2

  28. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  29. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  30. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  31. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  32. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  33. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  34. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  35. University of Nevada [North Dakota tree handbook] www.unr.edu (2012/12/20)

    ↩

  36. archive:pfaf-16

    Unresolved citation

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  37. Whitefield, Patrick The Earth Care Manual Permanent Publications ()

  38. www.wikipedia.org wikipedia (2012/07/26)

    • www.wikipedia.org

  39. Ken Fern Plants For a Future 2012/07/26 www.pfaf.org

    ↩

  40. Whitefield, Patrick The Earth Care Manual Permanent Publications

    ↩1↩2

  41. wikipedia 2012/07/26 www.wikipedia.org

    ↩1↩2↩3

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