Caragana decorticans
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Caragana genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Caragana
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 5.4 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The bark is used as a binding material[5], it takes a good polish and when new resembles leather in appearance[2].
- Product or use
- Leather
- Product or use
- String
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Afghanistan.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[6]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[7][3][6]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[4]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[4]. Good percentage[2]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[3]. Layering in spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[1][2][6]. Does not require a rich soil, succeeding on marginal land[2]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[6], it prefers a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters so it does not grow so well in the milder western half of Britain[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. 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[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00