Pterocarya rhoifolia Seeds | Japanese Wingnut
LATIN NAME: Pterocarya rhoifolia
COMMON NAME: Japanese Wingnut
Plant Profile
Japanese Wingnut (Pterocarya rhoifolia) is a handsome, upright, spreading, deciduous tree in the walnut family, native to moist woodlands of the eastern Asia, while it is prized for its fine, dangling chains of winged fruits. In walnut family it is riverside tree of hanging chains, a species whose winged fruits dangle like little wind-catchers all through the autumn. Given room and time, it reaches roughly Thirty metres. The flowering period doubles as a feeding season for bees and other pollinators. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Pterocarya rhoifolia ranges from the botany of the walnut family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. The Japanese wingnut appears in riverside-ecology papers of the eastern Asia as a fine subject of moist woodland study, and botanists have mapped its place in walnut family and regional flora. Modern propagation practice has made this species straightforward to raise by ordinary good methods.
Uses & Benefits
Japanese Wingnut works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. In riverside garden, the Japanese wingnut is broad tree of hanging chains. Its long, dangling flower clusters feed insects, its winged fruits feed birds, and broad, leafy crown gives garden a deep, generous shade. It is treasured for long, dangling chains of papery fruits and easy growth in moist, rich ground of the waterside. After the first season it asks for very little beyond a place that suits it.
Wingnuts are fast, handsome riverside trees; their nuts and bark had minor folk use, and they are planted for speed and shade.
Growing from Seed
Starting Japanese Wingnut from seed is simple and satisfying. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
It is a solid representative of the Pterocarya group, true to type from seed. Young plants want steady water; older plants take conditions as they come.
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