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Uses

Toxic parts

Reports that this plant contains toxins have not been substantiated[1]. The occurrence of cystine in the seeds is doubtful[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - cooked[2]. Small but produced in abundance. The seed of a plant seen at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, Wisley in Surrey in September 1993 was about twice the size of C. arborescens but it had a distinctly bitter taste[K]. High in protein, it has been recommended as an emergency food for humans. Young buds - cooked as a green vegetable[3].

Leaves

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge, they are very spiny and provide an impenetrable barrier.

The extensive root system of this plant makes it useful for planting to control soil erosion.

Wood - hard, close grained[4]. An important fuel wood for people living at high elevations[3].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A decoction of the plant is taken in the treatment of aching joints[3].
There are no medicinal uses listed for Caragana brevispina.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Earth stabiliser


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. 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[6][7][5]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[8]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[8]. Good percentage[9]. 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[7].

Layering in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Caragana brevispina. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, but prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[10][9][5]. Does not require a rich soil[9], succeeding on marginal land[2]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[2]. Established plants are drought resistant[2].

This species is hardy to at least -20°c[11], 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[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

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[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Caragana brevispina. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Caragana brevispina.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Caragana brevispina
Genus
Caragana
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type











References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. (1989-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)


Facts about "Caragana brevispina"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
Belongs to genusCaragana +
Functions asHedge +, Earth stabiliser + and Nitrogen fixer +
Has binomial nameCaragana brevispina +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partSeed + and Leaves +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeBees +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useWood +
Has mature height2.4 +
Has search namecaragana brevispina +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameCaragana brevispina +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Caragana brevispina +, Caragana brevispina + and Caragana brevispina +