Castanopsis tibetana
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Castanopsis genus in the family Fagaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Genus
- Castanopsis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Fertility
- Wind, Midges
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind, Midges
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed[7][3]. The conical seed can be up to 18mm long and 28mm wide[6]. No more details are given but the seed is likely to be eaten cooked.
- Plant part
- Seed
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Tibet.
- Habitat
- Broad-leaved evergreen forests; below 1500 metres in S Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, SW Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, SE Yunnan, S Zhejiang[6].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. 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[2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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 in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[1]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[2]. 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[4]. The seed takes two growing seasons from fertilization to maturity[6]. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202