Practical
Plants

Xanthoceras sorbifolium

Yellowhorn

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
6 m
Spread
2.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Flowers - cooked[10][2][8]. They are usually boiled[7]. Leaves - cooked[10][2][8]. They are usually boiled[7]. Seed - cooked[10][2][5]. The seed is about the size of a pea, it is quite sweet[8], with a taste like a sweet chestnut[6]. The seed is husked and then ground into a powder and boiled[7].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N. China.
Habitat
Thickets in drier areas, usually on shaded slopes.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - 3 months cool stratification improves germination rates[4] 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[13], 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[13]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[11]. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

Prefers a good loamy soil[1], but succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position[9][11]. Prefers a warm dry situation[9]. Requires protection from cold winds[12]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[9]. They grow best in areas with warm summers and dry springs without late frosts[9], the young growth can be damaged by late spring frosts[1][3]. They require summer heat in order to fully ripen their wood and to stimulate the production of flower buds[3][11]. They are subject to attacks by 'coral spot' fungus, particularly if the wood is not fully ripened and is then damaged by winter cold[3]. Flowers are produced on the previous year's wood[12]. Plants are usually slow to become established[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  7. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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