Common Name:

General Information

Caragana fruticosa is a much-branched, deciduous shrub; it can grow up to 200cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.

Known Hazards

The following report belongs to the closely related C. arborescens. Reports that this plant contains toxins have not been substantiated[]. The occurrence of cystine in the seeds is doubtful[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, northeast China (Heilongjiang ), Korea

Habitat

On slopes amongst scrub; at elevations from 100 - 1,800 metres[]. Broadleaf riverside woods, rocky and stony escarpments and slopes, among arborescent and shrubby vegetation[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Caragana fruticosa prefers a continental climate with its hot summers, cold winters and usually a clear movement from one season to another. The dormant plant can tolerate temperatures down to at least -30°c, but in more maritime climates it is often tempted to come into growth early and this new growth can easily be damaged by late spring frosts[]
Succeeds in most well-drained soils, preferring full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[, , ]. Tolerates very alkaline soils[]. Does not require a rich soil[, , ], succeeding on marginal land[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
A fast growing plant[].
This species is closely related to Caagana arborescens, differing in the larger flowers, shorter seedpods and the stipules being scarcely thorny[]. It can probably be used in all the ways Caragana arborescens is used and thus has excellent potential as a human food.[].
A good bee plant[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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[].

Edible Uses

The following uses are for the closely related Caragana arborescens and can probably also be applied to this species[].

Seed - cooked[, ]. Small but produced in abundance[], there are 4 - 6 seeds per pod[]. A bland flavour, it is best used in spicy dishes[]. The raw seed has a mild pea-like flavour, though we are not sure if it should be eaten in quantity when raw[]. The seed contains 12.4% of a fatty oil and up to 36% protein[, ], it has been recommended as an emergency food for humans[]. More than just an emergency food, this species has the potential to become a staple crop in areas with continental climates[].

Young pods - cooked and used as a vegetable[, , , , , ].

Medicinal

The following uses are for the closely related Caragana arborescens and can probably also be applied to this species[].

The whole plant, known as ning tiao, is used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, and the orifice to the womb, and for dysmenorrhoea and other gynaecological problems[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The following uses are for the closely related Caragana arborescens and can probably also be applied to this species[].

The plant can be grown as a hedge[]. It is quite wind-resistant and can also be planted in a shelterbelt[].
The plant has an extensive root system and can be used for erosion control, especially on marginal land[]. Because of its nitrogen-fixing capacity, it is valued as a soil-improving plant[].
The plant is used as a pioneer species for re-establishing native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The following uses are for the closely related Caragana arborescens and can probably also be applied to this species[].

A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making cordage[, , , ].

A blue dye is obtained from the leaves[, ].

The seed contains 12.4% of a fatty oil[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[, , ]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[]. Good percentage[]. 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, mid summer in a frame[].
Layering in spring.