Yellowhorn bush

Profile

Family

Sapindaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

5.5 m

Spread

3 m

Growth

very slow

Lifespan

200 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 6–9

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very dry – very moist

pH

5.5 – 8.5

Synonyms

Gelbhorn

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Seeds (raw, dried, baked, cooked similar to chestnuts, roasted like macadamia nuts), nut milk, flour, cooking oil; production of 7 tons per hectare, about 5000 kcal per square meter. Flowers and leaves can be steamed, fried, or boiled.

Medicinal: Leaves (decoction) can assist with rheumatic fever, weakness, and bone pain.

Other uses: Biodiesel can be produced from a lovely ornamental shrub using seeds (70% oil) and wood as fuel. The quantity of wood needed for production is unknown.

Growing

Thrives in rich loamy soil and well-drained, fertile soils in a sunny spot, preferring a warm, dry climate. Needs protection from cold winds. Hardy to about -20°C when dormant. Flourishes in regions with warm summers and frost-free springs, requiring summer heat for wood maturation and flower bud production. Vulnerable to 'coral spot' fungus, especially in immature wood damaged by winter cold. Flowers bloom on last year's wood, typically requiring time to establish.

Propagation

Seeds - Enhancing germination rates, a 3-month cold stratification is recommended before sowing in a cold environment during autumn. An alternative suggestion is to sow seeds in a warm greenhouse in February or March, following the stratification process. Once seedlings are sufficiently grown, transfer them to individual pots. Initially, grow them in a lightly shaded area within a greenhouse during the first winter, then relocate them to their permanent spot in late spring or early summer. It is advisable to provide some protection from cold weather during their first two winters. Root cuttings, 3 cm in length, should be planted horizontally in pots within a frame in December or January, with a high success rate. Divide runners during their dormant phase and plant them directly into their permanent spot.

Notable

Special features: Needs a hot and dry summer for the wood to mature and flowers to appear the following year. Best on a south-facing wall. Drought-resistant. Although self-fertile, the yield and nut size double with cross-pollination. Fully grown after 10-20 years. Propagation: Seeds, root cuttings, cuttings, and slips.

Origin & habitat

East Asia - Northern China.

Swamps and moist areas, typically found on wet heaths and open woodlands, thrive in peaty soil.

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