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Caragana brevispina - Royle. ex Benth.

Common Name Long-Stalked Pea-shrub
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-9
Known Hazards Reports that this plant contains toxins have not been substantiated[65]. The occurrence of cystine in the seeds is doubtful[65].
Habitats Higher forests, in the undergrowth of fir and oak forests or in open glades on dry ridges from 1500 - 2700 metres[146].
Range E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas..
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Caragana brevispina Long-Stalked Pea-shrub


Caragana brevispina Long-Stalked Pea-shrub

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Caragana brevispina is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1.8 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[160]. Small but produced in abundance. The seed of a plant seen at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, Wisley in Surrey in September 1993 was about twice the size of C. arborescens but it had a distinctly bitter taste[K]. High in protein, it has been recommended as an emergency food for humans. Young buds - cooked as a green vegetable[272].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A decoction of the plant is taken in the treatment of aching joints[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Soil stabilization  Wood

Plants can be grown as a hedge, they are very spiny and provide an impenetrable barrier. The extensive root system of this plant makes it useful for planting to control soil erosion. Wood - hard, close grained[146]. An important fuel wood for people living at high elevations[272].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most well-drained soils, but prefers full sun and a light sandy dry or well-drained soil[1, 11, 200]. Does not require a rich soil[11], succeeding on marginal land[160]. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils[160]. Established plants are drought resistant[160]. This species is hardy to at least -20°c[184], it prefers a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters so it does not grow so well in the milder western half of Britain[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. 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[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. It usually germinates in 2 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water then sown in a cold frame[78, 113, 200]. If the seed has not swollen then scarify it and re-soak for another 12 hours before sowing[138]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c[138]. Good percentage[11]. 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, July/August in a frame[113]. Layering in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Long-Stalked Pea-shrub, Pea Tree, Bebali kanda

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Pakistan,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Caragana arborescensSiberian Pea Tree, Siberian peashrubShrub6.0 2-7 FLMNDM514
Caragana boisiiSiberian peatreeShrub2.0 2-9 FLMNDM404
Caragana decorticans Shrub5.4 5-9  LMNDM001
Caragana frutexRussian pea shrubShrub1.2 2-7 SLMNDM002
Caragana fruticosaSiberian Peashrub,Shrub2.0 0-0 FLMNDM305
Caragana gerardiana Shrub1.0 4-8  LMHNM003
Caragana jubataShag-SpineShrub1.0 3-7  LMNDM013
Caragana microphyllaLittleleaf PeashrubShrub2.0 4-9 FLMNM003
Caragana pygmaeaPygmy PeashrubShrub1.2 3-7 SLMNDM102
Caragana sinicaChinese Pea ShrubShrub1.5 5-9  LMNDM12 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Royle. ex Benth.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

susanne   Mon Sep 18 2006

A good start for my research about shrubs for erosion control! There must be another type called Caragana Korshinskii - my problem is that I do not want to buy large botanical books....

database on soil and water consevation; detailed maps

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