Common Name:

General Information

Lithocarpus edulis is an evergreen tree, often only a shrub, with a spreading habit; it can grow up to 9 metres tall.
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central and southern Japan.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus edulis is a moderately cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant. All of the hardier members of the genus seem to appreciate mild and moist conditions, and like to be as warm as possible in the summer[]
Grows best in a warm sheltered position, but not one where it can be scorched in full sun. A site with a high canopy is advisable, at least when the trees are young[]. It prefers a deep fertile soil with medium drainage[].
The seed takes two growing seasons to mature[].
This species is only hardy in the southern half of England, where it sometimes produces fertile seeds[]. A tree growing in deep shade did not produce seed at Kew in the very hot summer of 1989[]. A tree at Hilliers produced lots of seed in 1994, but they were not fertile and did not contain endosperm[].
Plants are often confused with Lithocarpus glabra[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , ]. Not of a good taste[]. The poor taste is probably due, at least in part, to the presence of tannins. These can be removed by soaking the seed in water for a few days, changing the soak water regularly. The process can be speeded up by grinding the seed into a powder prior to soaking[]. The seed is an acorn about 25mm long and 8mm wide[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. It needs to be protected from mice, squirrels and other seed eaters. The seed has a short viability but can be stored for a few months if kept cool and slightly damp - the salad compartment of a fridge is a good storage place. Germination takes place in the winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If the plants are 15cm or more tall by the summer they can be planted out into their permanent positions. Give them a good weed-excluding mulch and some protection from the cold for their first couple of years outdoors. If growth is not sufficient then grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.