Common Name:

General Information

Carya hunanensis is a deciduous tree growing around 14 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and also cultivated for its edible seed and oil[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southeast China (Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan)

Habitat

Forests in valleys and along riverbanks; at elevations from 900 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[, , , ]. Slow growing[]. Dislikes wind exposure[].
Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible[, ]. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to specific climates, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought[]. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers[].
Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[]. Plants can also produce seed apomictically, each seed thus produced being a clone of the parent[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. Rich in oil with a sweet flavour. The nuts are around 30 - 35mm x 24 - 27mm with a shell around 2mm thick[].

An oil is obtained from the seed[].

Medicinal

The seeds are used medicinally[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification - seed given 3 months cold stratification had a 91% germination rate[]. Best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed should be kept moist (but not wet) prior to sowing and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible[]. Where possible, sow 1 or 2 seeds only in each deep pot and thin to the best seedling. If you need to transplant the seedlings, then do this as soon as they are large enough to handle, once more using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Put the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in their first summer, and give some protection from the cold for at least the first winter. Seed can also be sown in situ so long as protection is given from mice etc and the seed is given some protection from cold[] (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)