Xanthoceras sorbifolium
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Xanthoceras sorbifola
- Phonetic Spelling
- zan-tho-KER-as sor-bee-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Yellowhorn is a rare, deciduous shrub or small tree native to Northern China. It will grow in a variety of soil types, but prefers loamy soil, in a sunny, warm and dry location. This plant will perform at its best in a location that experiences dry springs and warm summers. It needs to be protected from frost and cold winds, as a late spring frost can damage the young growth. To stimulate the production of flower buds, summer heat is required. That heat will help to fully ripen the wood and stimulate flower buds.
Its spring-blooming white flowers bloom with white edges and yellow throats. As the flower mature, the throat will turn to a deep maroon color. Plant as a specimen or in small groups, in a border back, or near a patio. Blooming takes place on old wood, so pruning should be accomplished after the spring bloom period.
The flowers, foliage and seeds are edible. The flowers and leaves are usually boiled. The seed which is about the same size as a pea has a sweet taste, will remind you of a sweet chestnut. The seed is husked and ground into a powder, then boiled.
An excellent choice for a small landscape, where light pruning can control the tree size.
Its native habitat includes rocky slopes on hills and mountains.
Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Coral spot fungus can occur, particularly when the wood is not fully ripened and the plant is exposed to a late frost.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Xanthoceras
- Species:
- sorbifolium
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern China
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The flowers, foliage and seeds are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Vegetable
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The 2.5" green fruits look like buckeyes. They can be either round or pear-shaped. The capsules contain large pea-sized seeds. When roasted, they are said to have a taste similar to macadamia nuts. The seeds are purplish-brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1" star-shaped 5 petaled white flowers with red or yellow centers form on 6-10" racemes. The racemes reach lengths of up to 10".
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green leaves that can grow up to 12" long have 9-17 leaflets that persist into the late fall. Each leaflet is 1.5-2" long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- This specimen has a single trunk and is non-suckering.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought